Governor Chris Christie’s nomination of the retiring Kevin O’Toole to serve as a Port Authority of New York and New Jersey commissioner lands in the middle of a super-charged June Republican Primary for O’Toole’s 40th District senate seat.

If confirmed by the Senate Judiciary Committee (where O’Toole sits) and the full senate (where he relationships on both sides of the aisle), he will presumably give up the senate seat he has held since 2008. District 40 Republicans must find a replacement within 35 days of the vacancy, which means they will have to schedule a special convention.

Passaic County Clerk Kristin Corrado – backed by O’Toole to succeed him – is vying with former Assemblyman Paul DiGaetano of Bergen for the seat.