Newark Mayor's Move Toward Senate Run Draws Criticism From Some New Jersey Democrats
By Pat Loeb
NEWARK, N.J. (CBS) -- Newark mayor Cory Booker has built a national fan base with exploits such as rescuing people from burning buildings. But some members of his own New Jersey Democratic party are miffed at him.
This 2013 New Jersey governor's race is going to be tough for Democrats, facing the incumbent, Chris Christie, whose popularity is on the rise. They hoped Mayor Booker would come to the rescue. But not only did he decline to do so, he said he'd run in 2014 for the senate seat already held by loyal Democrat Frank Lautenberg, who hasn't said whether he'll run again.
Booker filed the paperwork on January 8th to become a candidate, drawing critics such as New Jersey State Senator Loretta Weinberg.
"Senator Lautenberg deserves time and space before people start lining up to run for his seat or maybe even run against him," Weinberg says.
Lautenberg's office declined official comment but, not for attribution, an aide called Booker self-absorbed and disrespectful.
