2014 NJ US Senate Election. Democratic Primary.

[NPolitics1979]

Now that Lautenberg is retiring.
Democrats have a primary between Newark Mayor Cory Booker,Senate President Steve Sweeney,and 6th CD US Rep Frank Pallone.
Who is the real establishment candidate- being endorsed by Florio,McGreevey,Corzine,Andrews,Holt,Pascrell,and Rothman and not the media establishment.

[tabbycat31]

1. more names

Cory Booker (Newark Mayor)
Frank Pallone (6th district, from Long Branch--Monmouth County
Shelia Oliver (assembly speaker, from the Newark area)
Rush Holt (12th district, Princeton area)
Other than the Sweeney rumor, nobody from South Jersey has stepped up, although Lautenberg did face a primary challenge from Rob Andrews (Camden area congressman) in 2008.

Should there be a crowded primary field (which is not typical of NJ Democrats as the 'county lines' are decided at conventions), Oliver and Booker's geographic advantage may cancel each other out.

Pallone and Holt both represented (red) Monmouth County until last year (Holt lost all of Monmouth in redistricting and Pallone lost a good chunk of Monmouth including my town). Pallone's pet project is protecting the beaches (his campaign sticker reads 'I <3 NJ Beaches') and would do well in the traditionally GOP shore areas.

In a crowded primary, Pallone has my vote (he was my congressman until redistricting and I can't think of a single issue with him that I disagree with where I do with Booker).

[NPolitics1979]

2. Pallone helps in Senate Seniority.

He has been in the US House since 1989.
He is the second most senior member after Republican Chris Smith.
Pallone was waiting to run for higher office since 1996.
When Bradley decided to retire from the US Senate, Pallone could have challenge the Torch in the Democratic Primary then Zimmer in the General.
Ran for Governor against Whitman in 1997- Pallone would have helped Andrews hurt McGreevey.
Lautenberg's initial retirement in 2000- Pallone could have ran as the stop Florio candidate instead of Corzine.

[tabbycat31]

5. One of Pallone's stickers says

Paid for by Pallone for Senate (which was later renamed to Pallone for New Jersey) on it. He's made no secret of his higher ambitions and why he is at events outside of his district frequently.

For the last several years, his office has sent me a calendar. I was pleased to get one from him this year even though I am now Chris "Todd Akin" Smith's constituent.

FWIW, I have met Booker, Pallone, and Holt and it's hard to decide when you've met everyone, but Pallone's got my vote.

[NPolitics1979]

6. Is Smith extreme like Akin or is he just pro life at any cost.

[tabbycat31]

7. He was the author of the bill that redefined rape

[sadbear]

3. What are the odds Menendez's seat becomes open pretty soon?

[NPolitics1979]

4. If Menendez were to resign this year, Christie would appoint a Republican replacement.

I blame NJ Democrats for not preventing Torricelli from becoming US Senator, we would have not hear about Corzine and Menendez would remain in the US House.