Newark Mayor Cory Booker (D) said Sunday that he is considering a run for higher office, including Senate as well as governor of New Jersey.
Speaking on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” Booker, a rising star in the Democratic Party, said he is considering his options and that both the Senate and the governor’s seat might be in his future.
“I’m really thinking about both offices right now and which one I can better serve on the issues I’m passionate about and the things I feel driven to contribute to,” Booker said.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) is up for reelection in 2013 and is enjoying a rise in popularity, according to the polls, after his aggressive response to Hurricane Sandy. If Booker decided to run next year, it could set up a marquee race that would grab national attention with two of the parties’ stars facing off against each other.
“Yeah, I’m absolutely considering running for governor as well as giving other options some consideration,” Booker said. “I will be focused on that for the next week to ten days or so and really come up with a decision that answers my basic questions … hopefully, the voters later might agree with me, but where do I believe I can make the best difference for the city I love, the state I love and the nation that I have pledged my life to.”
Booker said to expect a decision soon from him at least on the governor’s race.
“It’s going to be within in the next two weeks, especially in New Jersey, because there’s a lot of very good candidates for governor in New Jersey on the Democratic side and I have got to give my party and be part of my party’s push forward, whether it’s with me as candidate or with supporting other candidates for that office,” Booker said.
Asked if he was considering a run for Senate too, Booker said that is on his radar as well.
“Yeah, I’m actually looking at that as well,” Booker said.
