Booker creates committee to unseat fellow Democrat
(CNN) - Mayor Cory Booker of Newark, New Jersey, has created an official campaign committee, marking a significant first step towards a 2014 Senate bid, Federal Election Commission documents show.
The non-descript but important paperwork registering "Cory Booker for Senate" was filed on Tuesday. It was first reported Friday by the Star-Ledger newspaper of Newark.
[twitter-follow screen_name='politicalticker']
Booker, a Democrat, said in December he would run for the seat currently held by Sen. Frank Lautenberg, who is also a Democrat. Lautenberg is currently the oldest member of the Senate and is days away from turning 89.
A recent poll showed 42% of Democrats and those leaning Democratic would support Booker and 20% would favor Lautenberg.
Booker chose not to run in the 2013 race for governor against Republican Gov. Chris Christie, who has enjoyed especially high approval ratings since his handling of Superstorm Sandy. He made the decision, he said, in order to serve out his second term as mayor.
Lautenberg's spokesman, Caley Gray, said a report that "Senator Lautenberg has decided to retire is simply not true."
Politico separately reported that a Lautenberg aide who would not speak for attribution called the decision to challenge an incumbent Democrat rather than an incumbent Republican "shameful."
The FEC form says little of his Booker's bid but is an important step in running for federal office. The particular form Booker must be submitted within 10 days of accepting contributions over $1,000 or creating a campaign committee.
- CNN's Gregory Wallace and Kevin Bohn contributed to this report
From CNN Politics
- These 5 states will be the first to kick residents off Medicaid starting in April
- 10 Cards Charging 0% Interest Until 2024
- Inside the long and winding road to Trump's historic indictment
- Listen: After negotiating a peace deal, Jimmy Carter taught this Bible class
- Abortion foes take aim at ballot initiatives in next phase of post-Dobbs political fights
- Untitled
This guy is an idiot to think the same charisma as Obama–no way.
At 89 years of age, Lautenberg shouldn't really be seeking a six year term at anything. Time to hit the front porch and rocking chair. Booker is an impressive guy and a real up and comer.......likely to gain and hold that seat for the Dems for quite awhile.
Isn`t it a bit selfish for Lautenberg to even consider running at the age of 90 /91 for another seat? We all die you know. Would Launtenberg rather see Republican Chris Christie be able to appoint a Republican on an interim basis, or have some INFLUENCE outside the election process?
Much respect to Senator Lautenberg but it is time to retire. We need fresh new ideas and with so few of our young people willing to step up in government, we need to encourage them. Mayor Booker, if I lived in your state you would certainly get my vote...
It is time for the next generation to step in and take over. Ever forward.
Frank Lautenberg has done an admirable job during his two tenures in the Senate. He entered the Democratic Primary late in '81 and basically bought himself a senate seat. The favored Democrat at the time was former Representative Andy Maguire of Bergen County, N. J. However, nobody could match the endless purse strings of Mr. Lautenberg. At 89 years old, he should be happy to past the torch on to somebody like Cory Booker.
If we need change like term limits then we also need a retirement age for elected official ssy the first time they come up for re-election after 75th birthday apply the rule to both house and senate.
Regards,
Hodgson.