Newark Mayor Cory Booker made calls to Democratic Party leaders this week, shoring up support for a run for the U.S. Senate, sources told PolitickerNJ.com.
It appears that Booker will face U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-6) in a Democratic Primary battle, at the very least. Two sources described U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (D-12) in hardcore mulling mode.
Hopeful perhaps of Booker staying out of the race, one source referred to the mayor’s statement from last year committing himself to sticking it through the entirety of a second mayoral term.
“But there is still much work to do,” the mayor said in his much anticipated 2012 announcement. “And so, let there be no doubt, I will complete my full second term as mayor. As for my political future, I will explore the possibility of running for the United States Senate in 2014.”
Booker made his statement before the death this week of U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), whose vacated Senate seat prompted Gov. Chris Christie to call for a special primary election on Aug. 13 of this year.
