Wednesday, June 19, 2013
The U.S. Senate campaign heats up as Holt touts progressive record in new web ad.
U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (D-12) touts big brains and a progressive voting record as he aims squarely at Newark Mayor Cory Booker in his first web campaign spot in the New Jersey Senate race. The video was part of Holt’s full campaign website, launched Wednesday morning. In the video, Holt spends a good deal of time separating himself from Booker’s high-publicity actions. “I don’t have a million Twitter followers. I’ve never run into a burning building. And I‘m not friends with Mark Zuckerberg,’’ Holt says. “So why would I run for Senate against Cory Booker? Well, in Congress, I’ve always done what I think is right for New Jersey.” Sitting atop a classroom desk, Holt identifies himself as a teacher and a scientist with a progressive voting …
Sunday, June 16, 2013
The current deputy chief claims the mayor did not deliver on promised pay raises and incentives, an NJ.com report says.
NEWARK, NJ -- Newark’s former Police Chief Anthony Campos has sued Mayor Cory Booker, alleging the mayor did not provide promised pay raises after forcing Campos to resign from his post in 2008, NJ.com reported Sunday morning. The lawsuit is the latest in a string of disputes between Campos, Booker and then-Police Director Garry McCarthy, the report said. Six years ago, the feud, “divided Newark at the highest levels of government, leading to lawsuits, union challenges and Campos’ suspension before the position was finally abolished after he resigned and McCarthy absorbed his powers,” the report said. Campos remained in the department as a deputy chief, the report said. McCarthy absorbed Campos’ former powers, NJ.com reported. According to…
Monday, June 10, 2013
Newark mayor benefits from name-recognition, Rutgers-Eagleton survey finds.
Newark Mayor Cory Booker’s high public profile appears to have contributed to a strong lead over his rivals for U.S. Senate, according to a Rutgers University -Eagleton poll released Monday. Booker announced Saturday he seeks to fill the unexpired term of Democratic Sen. Frank Lautenberg, who died last week. Gov.Chris Christie called for a primary election Aug. 13 to be followed by a general election Oct. 16. The current Senate term expires in January 2015. Booker will run in the primary against Sheila Oliver, an Essex County Democrat and Speaker of the state Assembly, as well as two members of Congress, Rush Holt and Frank Pallone. Oliver, who filed her candidacy shortly before the deadline Monday, was not included in the polling. The …
A politically fractured governing body has no president, raising questions about who the next mayor will be.
The Newark Municipal Council is expected to discuss the selection of a council president at a conference meeting Tuesday, a decision that has taken on added significance since Mayor Cory Booker declared his intention Saturday to run for US Senate in a special election later this year. The council has been without a president since last November, when Donald Payne Jr. left the governing body after winning election to Congress. The remaining eight members of the governing body were stalemated over selecting a replacement. When Booker attempted to appoint a ninth member to the council at a council meeting Nov. 20, 2012, a near-riot ensued, stoked by anger from those who felt that Booker was overstepping his authority. Four members of the …
Sunday, June 9, 2013
North Jersey Pride Festival culminated with day-long event at Memorial Park.
The weeklong North Jersey Pride Festival culminated Sunday with a day-long festival at Memorial Park in Maplewood. Newark Mayor Cory Booker, who announced Saturday he will seek U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg's seat, was among those who attended the event and told the crowd during a 10-minute speech that he will fight for equal rights, according to NJ.com. “We will change New Jersey, we will change our country," Booker said, according to NJ.com. "We will truly make this nation one of equality, one of justice, one of love." The weeklong activities leading up to Sunday's festival included a community discussion about bullying with the parents of Tyler Clementi, a LGBTQ author book signing, a Trans-Themed Movie Night and a Dance for Equality.
Announcement that he is pursuing Lautenberg's Senate seat came late Saturday morning.
Cory Booker officially announced his candidacy Saturday for New Jersey’s United States Senator. The Newark Mayor will run for the seat left open by the death of Sen. Frank Lautenberg in the special election called by Governor Chris Christie in October. Former U.S. Senator Bill Bradley introduced and endorsed Booker at the headquarters of Audible.com in Newark. For months, Booker had been preparing to seek U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg’s seat in 2014. However, Lautenberg's death this week prompted Christie to call for an Aug. 13 primary and an Oct. 16 election for the remainder of the term, which expires at the end of 2014. The winner of the October election can also run for a full six-year term next year. In his announcement speech, Booker …
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Three alleged gang members indicted on numerous charges, including murder, also makes headlines.
Months after announcing his interest in becoming New Jersey’s next senator, Mayor Cory Booker made it official Saturday, when he formally kicked off his campaign for the remainder of Frank Lautenberg’s unfinished term. Lautenberg died Monday, and Gov. Chris Christie called a special Oct. 16 election for the remaining portion of the term Tuesday. A court ruled that school officials in Newark can resume control of the district’s finances for the first time since a state takeover of the district in 1995. Three men who authorities said are the remaining leaders of a violent South Ward street gang were indicted on dozens of charges, including murder. If convicted, the men could all face the death penalty. Two people, including a young father …
During press conference to kick off Senate run, Booker describes the 'legacy' he would like to leave behind in Brick City.
Correction appended June 10 Mayor Cory Booker said Saturday he would spend the next few months pushing through what would be his final legislative agenda for Newark should he be elected senator during a special October election. “I’m going to use this office to the last second,” Booker said during a press conference at the downtown offices of Audible.com to officially announce his bid for the unexpired term of Democratic Sen. Frank Lautenberg, who died June 3. Gov. Chris Christie called for a special primary election Aug. 13 and the senate election for Oct. 16, although that date has been challenged by Democrats who want the election held the same November date as the gubernatorial election. Should the heavily favored Booker win in …
Friday, June 7, 2013
Special election was called this week following the death of Frank Lautenberg.
NEWARK, NJ -- While Mayor Cory Booker on Saturday is expected to announce his plans for a U.S. Senate run, Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg plans to support his campaign. Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla will hold a fundraiser "in the coming days," according to Bloomberg. Zuckerberg pledged $100 million for Newark schools during a 2010 appearance with Booker and Gov. Chris Christie on Oprah Winfrey's show. Booker will make an annoucement Saturday on his Senate run during an event at the headquarters of Audible.com in Newark. A second event is also scheduled in Willingboro. For months, Booker had been preparing to seek U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg’s seat in 2014. However, Lautenberg's death this week prompted Christie to call for an Aug…
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
The death of Frank Lautenberg opens the door to a variety of possibilities, including a potential court battle.
The death Monday of respected liberal lawmaker Sen. Frank Lautenberg may have some consequences in Newark, including changing the dynamics of a race for a vacant council seat or—less likely but possible—touching off a court battle to determine who succeeds Mayor Cory Booker. “It’s going to get crazier even quicker,” said West Ward Councilman Ron Rice, echoing other officials who said Tuesday that politically, Newark could be in for a very bumpy ride over the next several months. Booker late last year all-but-officially announced his intention to run for Lautenberg’s seat in 2014, ending his run as mayor with two terms. The election for Lautenberg’s Senate seat will be held in November 2014 and the mayoral election will be held a few …
John Lutz
1:07 am on Wednesday, June 19, 2013
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