Citing a persistent cold and bronchitis, Senator Frank Lautenberg declared on Valentine's Day of 2013 that he would not be seeking re-election in 2014, saying that he still had a lot of work to do but that it would be done outside of his official office.  He succumbed to those health issues early this morning.

The official cause of death was viral pneumonia.

Lautenberg was the oldest member of the Senate and the last surviving who was a veteran of World War II.

Governor Chris Christie will appoint a temporary Senator to occupy Lautenberg's seat in the Senate.  Many political analysts believe that Newark Mayor Cory Booker will be selected by the Democratic party to run for his seat in 2014.

 

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