Gov. Chris Christie will not become Sen. Chris Christie.
Sen. Bob Menendez — who went on trial on Wednesday in Newark, NJ, for accepting bribes — is expected to be convicted before Christie’s term ends on Jan. 16, and Christie could name himself as the Democrat’s replacement.
But Menendez isn’t expected to resign, even if he is convicted, and it would take a two-thirds vote in the Senate to expel him. Fifteen fellow Democrats would have to vote against him. Very unlikely.
Jersey boy Joe Piscopo, host on AM 970 the Answer, told me that even if Christie does get to pick a replacement for Menendez, he will tap Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick.
“There are power brokers in the state who want Bramnick,” Piscopo said. “New Jersey would be well-served with him in the Senate.”