Newark, N.J. Mayor Cory Booker isn’t ready to comment on the prospect of a tense intraparty primary in the state’s 2014 U.S. Senate race.
During an interview with NJTV that will air on Saturday afternoon, Booker, who on Thursday announced his intentions to explore a Senate bid in two years, said the notion that he will have to face Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) in a primary is an “inappropriate” hypothetical. The 88-year-old Lautenberg has not disclosed whether he will seek another term in 2014.
“That hypothetical question is inappropriate right now,” Booker said. “Let me afford him the respect of hearing what his thoughts are and what he wants to do. He hasn’t commented on that yet.”
Booker also rejected the assertion from some that he is pressuring Lautenberg to step down.
“I know he doesn’t give a care of who’s running against him,” Booker said. “This is Frank Lautenberg we’re talking about.”
