A ranking New Jersey Democrat is calling for lawmakers to consider impeachment proceedings against Republican Gov. Chris Christie after two of his aides were convicted in the Bridge-Gate lane-closing case.

Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg in a statement Thursday called on Democratic Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto to consider the impeachment.

Weinberg says that there was "considerable testimony" during the trial that Christie knew about the conspiracy where three allies closed Fort Lee's access lanes to the George Washington Bridge to retaliate against Mayor Mark Sokolich, a Democrat, who wouldn't endorse his 2013 re-election campaign.

Christie has denied any knowledge of the lane closures or of approving them.

Several Republican leaders issued statements after Weinberg made her announcement.

Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean said, "New Jersey residents are tired of seeing Senate Majority Leader Weinberg play political games. We owe it to our constituents to get back to work and do the job we were elected to do."

Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick echoed Sen. Kean's sentiments. "Sen. Weinberg knows that the U.S. Attorney's Office reviewed all the evidence in the case and did not charge the governor with any wrongdoing. Politicians should not pretend to be prosecutors."

Christie spokesman Brian Murray released a statement that said, "This is ridiculous. It is shocking that someone who sat in the front row of the courtroom every day could get it so wrong."

Speaker Prieto says that the Assembly is "weighing all potential legislative activity." He says it is disappointing Weinberg made her request in a press release.

Sen. Weinberg admits that she should have let the speaker know about her plans prior to sending the press release.