Politics
Cory Booker will not run for NJ governor, to run for senate seat in 2014
While New Jersey voters have alternated between Republican and Democratic governors for decades, the state is solidly blue when it comes to the U.S. Senate. The last time a Republican was elected to represent the state there was in 1972.
Many Democrats viewed Booker as having the best chance at unseating Christie. So far, just one prominent Democrat, state Sen. Barbara Buono of Metuchen, has announced a gubernatorial candidacy. Now that Booker’s out, the party will look for decisions from others including Sweeney and Sen. Dick Codey.
Christie’s popularity is at an all-time high following his handling of Hurricane Sandy and its aftermath. In announcing his re-election bid last month, Christie said he was motivated, in part, by the chance to lead New Jersey through the post-storm recovery, which he said won’t be complete when his first term expires.
Booker and Christie historically have had a good working relationship. They agreed on the elimination of lifetime teacher tenure, for example, and on the need for government workers to pay more for their retirement and health benefits. The two even appeared in a “Seinfeld” parody video this year.
Critics say that Booker is much more popular beyond the city’s borders than within Newark. Former Gov. Brendan Byrne, a fellow Democrat, cast doubt on Booker’s ability to be as an effective an administrator as the governorship requires.
There is little doubt that Booker can raise money, however. He has brought in hundreds of millions in development and donations to the city, including a US$100 million education donation from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.
In the video, he touted other achievements of his administration, including more budget stability, court reforms and a reduction in crime. “Amazingly, in a down economy, Newark is in its biggest period of economic growth since the 1950s,” he said.
