Report: Booker Considering Run for Governor
Newark mayor says he is meeting with Democratic county chairs on Obama's behalf
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Cory Booker is eyeing a run for New Jersey governor in 2013, according to reports.
The Newark mayor and his political consultant Mark Matzen have reportedly been meeting with state Democratic county chairs to discuss challenging Republican Gov. Chris Christie, according to PolitickerNJ.
Some see Booker as the best candidate to run against Christie, the publication also reported.
"He’s the most viable candidate who comes to mind at this moment," said Charlotte DeFilippo, chair of the Union County Democratic Committee, PolitickerNJ reported.
Booker, who has been traveling the country in recent months to stump for President Barack Obama with whom he's been closely tied to since 2007, deferred questions about a possible gubernatorial run last night on WBGO's "Newark Today."
"My focus clearly right now is the city of Newark and again, after the presidential election, there will be a lot of things to consider," Booker told host Andrew Meyer. "But right now my big focus is getting President Barack Obama re-elected."
Booker, co-chair of the Democratic party's platform committee, will present the party's platform to delegates at the Democratic National Convention Sept. 4 in Charlotte, N.C., according to NJ.com.
Last month, Patch reported Booker was "strongly considering the options at the end of my term," which expires in 2014, adding that he had his sights set on either a gubernatorial run or the U.S. Senate seat currently held by 88-year-old Frank Lautenberg.
Arlene M. Baladi
10:57 am on Friday, August 24, 2012
Mayor Booker would be a welcome relief after that loud-mouth Chris Christie!
VietNam Vet
1:12 am on Monday, August 27, 2012
Arlene, if thats all that you don't like about Christie..is because he has a loud mouth, that is no reason to go backwards and put the state back to where it was with Corzine, or are you just that dumb to understand things. What do you think he will do for you, make NJ better, NO maybe he will clean up the crime in the stat better, NO because he still hasn't cleaned up the crime in Newark yet and never will. Do you think he will cut your property taxes? No because he still can't do that in Newark either. Do you think he will be less on the take than he is in Newark? No
Come on stop me when you think that I'm wrong and he did do something so good for Newark that would sway my vote, to say that, Yeah he did do that and I'm wrong and he would make a great Governor. Get real lady! Wake up for a change!
ADRIENNE
11:26 am on Friday, August 24, 2012
What has Mayor Booker done for the city of Newark. Nothing still high crime and essex county residents are still paying high property taxes to support Newark.
Arlene M. Baladi
11:45 am on Friday, August 24, 2012
Mayor Booker has fed many of the homeless population of the City of Newark...don't kid yourself. Chris Christie seems only concerned with feeding himself.
Kelly Guerra
12:35 pm on Friday, August 24, 2012
I honestly don't see Cory Booker running for Governor! His close working relationship with Christie doesn't draw any distinction between the two candidates - assuming Booker would be challenging Christie. I think the Mayor's inconsistent record in Newark would provide ample attacks for a ferocious campaigner like Christie. If Booker has an unsuccessful run for Governor in 2013, it would dry up his finances and clout for a run for Senate in 2014; therefore, I think Mayor Booker will save his resources for a Senatorial run against a weaker opponent than Christie!
Louis Fontana
1:12 pm on Friday, August 24, 2012
Mayor Booker won't run against Governor Christie because he knows he'd lose -- possibly even in a rout. If he loses big, he's done politically (see, e.g., Peter Shapiro).
People in the know will tell you that Booker wouldn't even get re-elected in Newark at this point. The bloom is off that rose.
He'd better hope that Senator Lautenberg (finally) decides to pack it in in 2014. That might be Mayor Booker's best chance at "moving up." If, on the other hand, Senator Lautenberg stays in, Mayor Booker has no chance at beating him in a Democratic primary. None. Again, he lacks support in Newark, his supposed "base," at this point.
Kelly Guerra
1:28 pm on Friday, August 24, 2012
Mayor Booker's greatest support is on Facebook and Twitter - those people not directly effected by his policies and those who haven't vetted him beyond his own, self-indulgent spin! Newarkers who know him well say he is all talk and produces very few results!
Joe Kavesh
2:10 pm on Friday, August 24, 2012
Rather than merely assessing which office - Governor? Senator? - would be the next "good fit" for him, perhaps Mr. Booker should also consider taking a break from public office. Why not work in the private sector for a stretch? Nothing wrong with that.
Plenty of elected officials leave office and return to "civilian life" as bankers, lawyers, teachers, real estate developers, etc. There, they have an opportunity to "re-connect" with the people they once served.
As mayor of Newark - granted, not an easy job for anyone - Mr. Booker has achieved mixed results. He is young enough to "take a break" from the grind of politics, try something new, and still author a second chapter in government down the road.
Cassius C Wilcher
3:15 pm on Friday, August 24, 2012
If Mayor Booker decides to run for either seat , I would vote for him, because I think he's doing his best for the city to combat the scurge of drugs,crime,gangs,and bad politics as usual not only in this city which for years has been mired in corupt politics,shady busness dealings,and crooked so-called leaders who have continued to use this state for their own personal greed, and it's time for a change
Kelly Guerra
4:48 pm on Friday, August 24, 2012
By giving the key note speech at the Republican National Convention, Governor Christie will receive significantly more national media coverage than Mayor Booker giving the Platform presentation at the Democratic convention. The two speaking opportunities cannot even be compared in terms of their importance on the national stage and the consideration shown by their respective parties. Christie is obviously seen as a more important player within his party with a much brighter future!
Nez11
1:32 pm on Saturday, August 25, 2012
LOL!!!!!!!!! New Jersey is a Democratic State! Can any one say.... BLUE! Mayor Booker Has done more for Newark than any other mayor that held the seat in over 40 years. The numbers don't lie people...... You ALL r funny. He will run for what ever office, be it Gov./Sen. And "HE WILL WHEN"!
Nez11
1:37 pm on Saturday, August 25, 2012
Typo..... "HE WILL WIN"!!!!
Nez11
1:44 pm on Saturday, August 25, 2012
D-Zone...... You're right! 72% of the people in Newark planted their vote in 2006 for Cory A. Booker.
june mykietyn
6:37 pm on Sunday, August 26, 2012
hhmmm what wonderful choices has Governor Christie made to improve NJ?..would love to hear some feedback,and then there is one very improper choice that was made,it will always stand out in my mind..can anyone take a guess at that choice?
VietNam Vet
1:13 am on Monday, August 27, 2012
Cory Booker is a walking nightmare for Newark and he will be the same for the State as well, just like Corzine was.