Surprised nobody mentioned this, but yesterday afternoon Cory Booker announced he is running for Frank Lautenberg's old Senate seat.
Joined by former U.S. Sen. Bill Bradley, another Democrat and a mentor, Booker said it was time Washington encounter a politician who — like him and Bradley — rejects the belief that "D.C. is broken."
"I am here because I believe people who care can find solutions to even the most difficult problems," Booker said at a press conference in Newark. "I am here because, when we work together, I know from experience that there is no problem we can’t solve. I am here today because I know who we are and what we are capable of doing together for New Jersey and for this nation."
Watch the full announcement
here:
CNN reports that Booker had begun collecting petition signatures to run in the special election as early as Thursday.
To put it mildly, Booker's nomination changes the complexion of the race. Rush Holt is already in, and Frank Pallone has all but announced he's in as well. While Booker only has $700,000 in the bank, he can easily increase that amount tenfold in a heartbeat. The fact that Bradley has effectively put his thumb on the scale definitely helps as well.
That sound you heard was Chris Christie shooting up bolt upright in his chair. His worst nightmare is now unfolding right before his eyes.