Sen. Lautenberg dies, Christie to name successor

In this Aug. 2, 2012 file photo, Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., smiles after the final votes before the Senate …Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., died overnight of viral pneumonia, his office told The Bergen Record.

At 89, Lautenberg was the oldest senator -- and the last World War II veteran serving in that legislative body.

Lautenberg served on the Senate Committees on Appropriations; Commerce Science and Transportation; and Environment and Public Works. He had struggled with health problems earlier this year, and already had announced that he would not run for reelection in 2014.

Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican, will appoint someone to fill the vacancy, according to the Bergen Record.

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