Report: Booker Leaning Toward Senate Run

The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that Newark Mayor Cory Booker appears likely to seek the US Senate seat currently held by fellow Democrat Frank Lautenberg.

At a July appearance in Bergen County, Booker confirmed long-held suspicions he might be seeking higher office, announcing his interest in running either for Senate or against popular Republican Gov. Chris Christie. Earlier this month, Booker vowed to make his decision before Christmas.  

In an October poll, Booker had the strongest showing among a hypothetical field of Democrats against Christie, with the mayor coming within a few percentage points of the first-term governor. But a subsequent poll, taken after Christie’s widely praised performance during Hurricane Sandy, showed Christie with a much larger lead against any Democrat, including Booker.

Lautenberg’s current term as senator expires in 2014. Lautenberg, at 88 years old the Senate’s oldest member, has not yet said whether he will seek re-election.