Cory Booker Racks Up Endorsements In Senate Race

Major support for Newark Mayor Cory Booker continued to pile on over the weekend when both the New York Times and the Philadelphia Inquirer backed his campaign for U.S. Senate.

But his Democratic opponents are not laying down ahead of Monday night's televised debate, set to begin at 7:30 p.m. on NJTV.

U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-6) launched a new radio ad, playing mainly on urban radio stations and touting the longtime Congressman as someone who would fight for New Jersey's working families.

U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (D-12) on Monday launched a new television ad – his first of his campaign – criticizing Booker for not being "progressive."

And state Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D-34) Monday morning put out a call for supporters to watch tonight’s debate, the first where all four contenders will answer questions on the same stage.

The debate, to be held on the campus of Montclair State University, will be the first time Booker has faced all three of his opponents in the Aug. 13 primary election -- an absence that has drawn criticism from the candidates and others.

Booker has also been criticized for his national name recognition, something his opponents have derisively referred to as his "celebrity" status, which was evidenced by an exclusive dinner fundraiser last week at a posh Jersey City restaurant headed by Oprah Winfrey. Booker missed a debate to attend that event.

The Lautenberg family has been among those who have criticized Booker for his celebrity status, referring to him as a "show horse," in their endorsement of Pallone.

The New York  Times turned that criticism on its head.

In its endorsement, the Times' editorial board said Booker’s "political star power" would give him an advantage in the Senate that the other candidates lacked. Booker could trade his national name recognition to "fight for the neglected, the powerless, people who are working and people who need to work in New Jersey and nationally."

Booker also has been criticized for having too close of a relationship with Gov. Chris Christie and for his support of school vouchers, something that Holt, who is running on his progressive voting record, has pounced on.

"I approved this message because Cory may be the frontrunner in this race – but he’s no progressive," Holt says in his television ad.

 The Inquirer, in its endorsement, saw it differently.

"He won't fill the liberal shoes of the late Sen. Frank Lautenberg, whose death in June necessitated this special election," the editorial says. "But his partnership with Gov. Christie proves he can work with Republicans - an essential skill for a successful senator."

The pair of newspaper endorsements follows an earlier endorsement by the Newark Star-Ledger

Despite having more money than the other candidates, a double-digit lead in the polls and a slew of important endorsements, the Booker camp doesn’t appear to be taking anything for granted.

Following a scheduled radio debate in Newark on Thursday, Booker announced he will kick off a five-day bus tour, stopping in towns of 10 New Jersey counties -- Essex, Hudson, Bergen, Passaic, Union, Middlesex, Camden, Burlington, Mercer and Atlantic – ending on Monday, Aug. 12, the day before the primary election.

The campaign also released a television ad Monday afternoon. Called "Seat,'' the 30-second ad features Booker talking about his ability to sit down with those with opposing views.

Booker appropriates a catchphrase from the Pallone campaign, saying that he is able to work with opponents "to get things done.''

He also takes a veiled shot at both Holt and Pallone, experienced legislators who between them have served in the House for decades.

"We don't need more Washington experience,'' Booker says in the ad. "We need a different kind of experience in Washington.''

The winner of the Aug. 13 primary will  square off against the winner of the Republican primary -- either Steve Lonegan, former mayor of Bogota or Somerset County physician Alieta Eck – in an Oct. 16 special general election for the Senate seat.