[SMGFan]

And Christie had unique primary and special elections dates for Sen Booker to keep Booker from overshadowing Christie’s reelection in 11/13

[leprechaun9]

And Christie could have named a Conservative (R or D) who would have filled the unexpired term as well as the subsequent six year full term!

However, since Christie preferred to call a special election to name a replacement and name an interim Republican (who was an unknown to the average Republican Voter), Christie gave the NJ US Senate seat to Cory Booker, where he still keeps the seat warm.

All this was probably to address Christie's concern on the appointment having a negative impact on his own reelection!