It is still unclear if Cory Booker (D) will square off with Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) in a primary for the 2014 U.S. Senate race, but a report published Friday in Politico suggested that the longtime senator took umbrage to the high-profile Newark, N.J. mayor’s decision to pursue his seat.
The story quoted an unnamed senior adviser to Lautenberg, who had choice words for Booker.
“This guy is self-absorbed and disrespectful,” the adviser said of Booker, who filed his campaign papers with the Federal Election Commision for the Senate race earlier this week. “It’s shameful that he avoided challenging a Republican just so that he can take on a long-serving, loyal Democrat.”
Booker said during an appearance on CNN Monday that he has yet to meet with Lautenberg, noting he wants to give the 88-year-old incumbent “space to make his own decision.” Lautenberg has yet to announce if he will seek a sixth term, but a poll released Thursday indicated that New Jersey Democrats would prefer to see Booker hold the seat.
