Despite pressure from party leaders, Mayor Cory A. Booker of Newark will not challenge Gov. Chris Christie for re-election next year in New Jersey, deciding instead to focus on making a bid for a Senate seat in two years.
“Let there be no doubt, I will complete my full second term as mayor,” Mr. Booker wrote on his Web site. “As for my political future, I will explore the possibility of running for the United States Senate in 2014.”
Mr. Booker, seen by many as a rising political star, was considered by Democrats to be their best hope to unseat Mr. Christie, a Republican. Mr. Christie’s popularity, however, has surged since Hurricane Sandy, and Mr. Booker, who has faced growing criticism in his second term that he has been more focused on publicity than the mundane work of managing, most likely would have faced an uphill battle, according to the most recent polls.
The decision to skip the race for governor, which Mr. Booker shared with party leaders before his announcement, clears the path for someone else to challenge Mr. Christie. A number of Democrats have expressed interest in taking on one of the nation’s most prominent and provocative political figures.
Mr. Booker’s declaration of interest in running for federal office raises the prospect of a possible primary battle with the Democratic incumbent, Senator Frank R. Lautenberg. Mr. Lautenberg, 88, has served five terms in Washington, and despite being the oldest current senator, he has offered no hint that he plans to retire. He already has more than $400,000 in the bank for a re-election campaign and a personal fortune he can tap into.
In his announcement, Mr. Booker was careful to praise Mr. Lautenberg, even as he made it clear he wanted his job.
“As I explore a run for the United States Senate, I look forward to consulting with Senator Lautenberg,” the mayor wrote. “During my lifetime, he has been one of New Jersey’s most important leaders. It would be a privilege to continue his great legacy of service.”
A spokesman for Mr. Lautenberg, who declined a request for an interview, issued a statement: “Senator Lautenberg is focused on passing a critical disaster relief bill for New Jersey and addressing America’s broken gun laws. The last several months and weeks have been a painful time for New Jersey and America, and the senator is working on the tough issues we face. This is not the time for political distractions, and the senator will address politics next year.”
Though Senator Charles E. Schumer of New York, the vice chairman of the Senate Democratic conference, has voiced his support and desire to see Mr. Lautenberg hold onto his seat, party leaders in Washington have privately expressed concerns about Mr. Lautenberg’s age. To those around him, he appears to be as engaged as ever in his job, holding hearings, introducing legislation and appearing at public events, but the World War II veteran and businessman would be 90 by the time he started another six-year term.
In that context, leading Democrats say that they do not want to discourage potential candidates from exploring the possibility of a run. And in Mr. Booker’s case, many Democrats see a young, energetic politician and gifted fund-raiser who would be able to defend the seat against even a strong Republican challenger.
Even if Mr. Lautenberg does not seek re-election, Mr. Booker may not have a clear path to the Senate seat. The State Senate president and the speaker of the State Assembly — both with close ties to the state’s political bosses, the president in the south, the speaker in the north — have told party leaders they are interested in running. And Representative Frank Pallone Jr., a 13-term Democrat from Monmouth County, has already begun calling party leaders in the counties to tell them he is interested in running, aides said.
Some New Jersey Democrats were disappointed that Mr. Booker would not run for governor.
“He is an attractive candidate,” said Assemblyman John S. Wisniewski, chairman of the state Democratic Party. “However, New Jersey Democrats have a number of talented, experienced individuals on our bench who would make both excellent candidates and excellent governors.”
Booker Opts Not to Run for Governor, but Considers Senate Bid
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Booker Opts Not to Run for Governor, but Considers Senate Bid
