'Not just yes, but hell yes,' Booker said when asked if he would rule out challenging Menendez next year
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Newark Mayor Cory Booker today said he would not run against Sen. Robert Menendez for a Senate seat in 2012, but did not rule out a 2014 run.NEWARK — Mayor Cory Booker kept alive speculation about his ambitions for U.S. Senate this morning in an interview with Good Day New York.
While unequivocally ruling out a primary run against Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) Booker declined to rule out a run against Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) in three years when his term as mayor ends on June 30, 2014.
"Not just yes, but hell yes," Booker said when asked if he would rule out a Menendez challenge. But when asked if he was ruling out a run against Lautenberg, Booker said only, "You know, that's 2014, I support Senator Lautenberg. I talked to him last night. He is my senator. I've supported him before. I've raised money for him. We've worked hard for him. But that's three years from now. Right now I've got to focus on making Newark safer, safer, safer, jobs and education."
Speculations surrounding Booker's senatorial ambitions were stoked this week when Booker fundraiser Bari Mattes formed "CoryPAC," a federal political action committee ostensibly designed to help national candidates who would be supportive of urban initiatives.
Previous coverage:
• Newark Mayor Cory Booker eyes possible run for U.S. Senate
Watch Booker's interview below:
