Booker Officially Running in Special Election

On Saturday morning, Cory Booker officially announced he is a Senate candidate.

Per the announcement, the Newark Mayor will run for the seat left open by the death of Sen. Frank Lautenberg in the special election called by Governor Chris Christie in October.

Former U.S. Senator Bill Bradley introduced and endorsed Booker at the headquarters of Audible.com in Newark. 

For months, Booker had been preparing to seek U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg’s seat in 2014. However, Lautenberg's death this week prompted Christie to call for an Aug. 13 primary and an Oct. 16 election for the remainder of the term, which expires at the end of 2014. The winner of the October election can also run for a full six-year term next year.

In his announcement speech, Booker railed against cynicism in the political process.

“We are so much bigger than any of our challenges,” Booker said in the speech.

The deadline for prospective U.S. Senate hopefuls to get their signatures into the State in time for August's primary is Monday.

Former Bogota mayor and New Jersey Chapter of Americans For Prosperity president Steve Lonegan was the first person to publicly say they were running in the special election.

U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (D-12) also announced late Thursday that he is pursuing the seat.

Running as a Republican, Lonegan, a Tea Party favorite, has campaigned for the necessary 1,000 petition signatures since Wednesday, updating his official Facebook page regularly and attending rallies in different conservative hot spots throughout the state.

According to Politicker NJ, Holt announced his decision in an email blast to supporters. In his email, Holt, said he believes he's the best candidate to continue the "passionate advocacy for progressive values" exemplified by Lautenberg.

Rep. Frank Pallone, whose district includes many shore towns, has also expressed interest in the Senate seat. He also has a financial advantage over the field, at least at the moment. According to Politicker NJ, Pallone has about $3 million in his campaign war chest compared to Holt's approximately $700,000.

On Thursday, the Star Ledger reported that Assemblyman Jon Bramnick (D-21) announced his decision not to run. 

MSNBC reports that Booker has raised $1.6 million for his Senate campaign.

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg announced plans to support Booker's campaign. Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla will hold a fundraiser "in the coming days," according to Bloomberg. Zuckerberg pledged $100 million for Newark schools during a 2010 appearance with Booker and Gov. Chris Christie on Oprah Winfrey's show.