Booker, On Media Blitz, Raises $4.6 Million

Newark Mayor Cory Booker has raised $4.6 million in the second quarter of this year in a bid for a U.S. Senate seat, his campaign announced Thursday.

Booker, who is polling more than 40 percentage points ahead of his nearest competitor in the Democratic primary, has raised $6.5 million since January, ending the second quarter with $4.5 million cash, according to his campaign.

Booker received contributions from 2,027 New Jersey residents and more than 7,000 contributions overall. Of that total, more than 6,000 were first-time contributors, the campaign said.

"The continued support we're seeing is testament to the faith voters are putting in Mayor Booker’s ability to bring people together in Washington and get things done to improve people’s lives," Addisu Demissie, campaign manager, said in a release. "Every donation is critical for taking the mayor’s message directly to voters in this unprecedented special election."

Booker this week has been on a media tear. On Monday, the two-term mayor outlined a proposal to end child poverty. On Tuesday, he released a new television ad after speaking out about housing foreclosures. On Wednesday, he talked up the need for more science and research funding to help fuel the country’s competitiveness worldwide.

Booker received a blow Monday when Sen. Frank Lautenberg’s family endorsed fellow Democrat U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-6) in the special Senate primary on Aug. 13. The endorsement came with harsh words for Booker, referring to him as a "show horse."

Booker is vying for the Democratic nomination against Pallone, U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (D-12) and state Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D-34). The winner will face either Steve Lonegan, former Bogota mayor, or Alieta Eck in the Oct. 16 special general election.