2013 United States Senate special election in New Jersey explained

Election Name:2013 United States Senate special election in New Jersey
Country:New Jersey
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2008 United States Senate election in New Jersey
Previous Year:2008
Next Election:2014 United States Senate election in New Jersey
Next Year:2014
Election Date:October 16, 2013
Turnout:24.5%[1]
Image1:File:Cory Booker portrait (cropped).jpg
Nominee1:Cory Booker
Party1:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:740,742
Percentage1:
Nominee2:Steve Lonegan
Party2:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:593,684
Percentage2:44.02%
U.S. Senator
Before Election:Jeffrey Chiesa
Before Party:Republican Party (United States)
After Election:Cory Booker
After Party:Democratic Party (United States)

The 2013 United States Senate special election in New Jersey was held on October 16, 2013, to fill the New Jersey United States Senate Class 2 seat for the remainder of the term ending January 3, 2015. The vacancy resulted from the death of 5-term Democratic senator Frank Lautenberg on June 3, 2013.[2] On June 4, 2013, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie announced that a primary election to fill the vacancy would take place on August 13, 2013, and that a special election would follow on October 16, 2013.[3] Christie appointed Republican New Jersey Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa to the seat as a placeholder; Chiesa announced at the time of his appointment that he would not be a candidate in the special election.[4]

The primary elections were won by Republican former Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan and Democratic Newark Mayor Cory Booker. Booker defeated Lonegan on October 16, 2013, and became the first African-American elected to statewide office in New Jersey. 24.5% of registered voters cast ballots, making this the lowest voter turnout of any statewide election.[1] [5]

Background

Democrats and Republicans interested in running in the special primary were given six days, until June 10, to collect 1,000 signatures in order to appear on the special primary ballots.[6] Christie was criticized for spending millions of dollars to hold a separate election for Senate, despite the gubernatorial election already being scheduled for November. It was thought that Christie took this action to benefit himself politically, believing that likely Democratic nominee Cory Booker's presence on the ballot would inspire higher turnout from minority voters who would also vote for Christie's Democratic gubernatorial opponent, Barbara Buono.

On June 4, 2013, Christie appointed Republican Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa to fill the Senate vacancy, making him the first (federal) Republican Senator from the state since Nicholas F. Brady in 1982, who, ironically got succeeded by Lautenberg;[7] Chiesa announced that he would not run in the special election.[8]

On June 13, 2013, the Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court unanimously rejected the Democrats' challenge, which was brought by Somerset County Democratic chairwoman Marguerite M. Schaffer, to force Christie to change the special election date in October to the general election on November 5. They ruled "the Legislature has delegated broad authority to the State's governor" to set the election date.[9] On June 20, 2013, the New Jersey Supreme Court declined to hear a follow-up challenge to the special election date.[10]

New Jersey Democratic state senator Shirley Turner of Lawrenceville introduced legislation to move the general election on November 5 for all statewide offices, including governor, to the same date, October 16, as the U.S. Senate special election. This legislation was introduced in order to avoid spending an additional $12 million for a separate U.S. Senate election in October in addition to the general statewide election in November.[11] A bill, A4237, passed both legislative houses on June 27, 2013. Another bill, A4249, allowing eligible voters who cast ballots on October 16 for senator to also vote early for the November general election, finally passed both legislative houses on June 27. Both bills were sent to Governor Christie for approval or veto with little expectation that either would be signed by Christie into law.[12] [13] The governor vetoed both bills on September 9, 2013.[14]

The Christie administration looked into contingency plan options for additional state workers, transportation resources, voting machines and associated hardware, and skilled voting machine technicians in order to avoid any potential conflicts due to the short time span of 20 days between the special election and the general election.[15] Use of any of these options would increase the cost of $12 million for the October election, which would be in addition to $12 million for the August primary, that were both estimated by the New Jersey Office of Legislative Services. Contingency plans would be needed due to potential scheduling and logistical conflicts in the use of the same voting machines for both elections. New Jersey state law requires voting machines to be locked down for 15 days after an election, in case a defeated candidate seeks a recount. Voting machines would also need to be set up several days in advance of the general election. The state has made arrangements to reimburse by December 31, 2013, all necessary expenses after an audit of submitted election costs by each of the County Boards of Elections.[16] [17]

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Declined

Polling

Poll sourceAlieta
Eck
Steve
Lonegan
OtherUndecided
align=left Kean University[30] June 18, 2013321±?%15%45%12%29%
align=left Quinnipiac[31] July 2–7, 2013330±5.4%5%62%1%32%
align=left Quinnipiac[32] August 1–5, 2013257±6.1%10%74%3%13%

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

Declined

Debates

Polling

Poll sourceCory
Booker
Rush D.
Holt Jr.
Sheila
Oliver
Frank
Pallone
OtherUndecided
align=left Rutgers-Eagleton[41] June 3–9, 2013364±5.1%55%8%9%28%
align=left Quinnipiac[42] June 7–9, 2013306±5.6%53%10%9%1%27%
align=left Monmouth[43] June 10–11, 2013205±6.9%63%10%6%8%13%
align=left Rasmussen[44] June 12–13, 2013416±5%54%11%5%8%3%18%
align=left Kean UniversityJune 18, 2013366±?%49%9%9%6%5%22%
align=left QuinnipiacJuly 2–7, 2013400±4.9%52%8%3%10%1%27%
align=left Monmouth[45] July 11–14, 2013403±4.9%49%8%3%12%28%
align=left QuinnipiacAugust 1–5, 2013388±5%54%15%5%17%1%8%

Results

Special election

Booker enjoyed advantages over Lonegan in fundraising and name recognition.[46] However, he was scrutinized regarding "his personal finances and the terms of his departure from law firm Trenk DiPasquale; the viability of his video startup, Waywire, and the investors behind it; and his behavior on Twitter, including messages to an Oregon stripper". Booker "also drew criticism from the left over his progressive credentials." Booker painted Lonegan as a "tea-party extremist", while Lonegan questioned Booker's performance as Mayor of Newark.[47]

Candidates

Major party candidates

Other candidates

Debates

Fundraising

Candidate (party)ReceiptsDisbursementsCash on handDebt
(D)$2,108,248$2,582,837$4,533,079$0
(R)$129,766$171,538$192,586$101,822
Source: Federal Election Commission[50] [51] Reports through July 24, 2013

Top contributors

Cory BookerContributionSteve LoneganContribution
Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan$34,800Lance for Congress$2,000
Time Warner$33,000
Slate Path Capital$23,400
Loews Corporation$20,000
Cole, Schotz, Meisel, Forman & Leonard, PA$19,050
Lazard$18,500
Monness, Crespi, Hardt & Co Inc.$15,600
Walt Disney Company$15,200
Falcon Edge Capital$15,000
Harvest Partners$15,000
Source: OpenSecrets[52]

Top industries

Cory BookerContributionSteve LoneganContribution
Financial Institutions$314,500Candidate Committees$5,000
Lawyers/Law Firms$156,725Republican/Conservative$500
Entertainment Industry$131,000Misc Issues$250
Real Estate$115,390Pro-Life Organizations$250
Business Services$63,050
Misc Finance$62,850
Retired$54,700
Non-Profit Organizations$48,100
Manufacturing & Distributing$42,600
Universities$34,500
Source: OpenSecrets[53]

Polling

Poll sourceSteve
Lonegan (R)
Cory
Booker (D)
OtherUndecided
align=left QuinnipiacJune 7–9, 2013858±3.4%27%54%18%
align=left MonmouthJune 10–11, 2013560±4.2%37%53%10%
align=left RasmussenJune 10–11, 20131,000±3%33%50%17%
align=left QuinnipiacJuly 2–7, 20131,068±3%30%53%1%16%
align=left QuinnipiacAugust 1–5, 20132,042±2.2%29%54%1%16%
align=left Monmouth[54] August 15–18, 2013696±3.7%38%54%2%5%
align=left Fairleigh Dickinson University[55] August 21–27, 2013700±3.7%22%50%4%23%
align=left Rutgers-Eagleton[56] September 3–9, 2013462±4.5%29%64%1%6%
align=left Pulse Opinion Research[57] September 19, 20131,000±?33%52%4%10%
align=left Stockton Polling Institute[58] September 15–21, 2013812±3.4%32.3%58.4%9.1%
align=left Quinnipiac[59] September 19–22, 2013948±3.2%41%53%1%6%
align=left Monmouth[60] September 26–29, 2013571±4.1%40%53%3%4%
align=left Fairleigh Dickinson University[61] September 30 – October 5, 2013702±3.7%29%45%3%23%
align=left RasmussenOctober 7, 20131,000±3%41%53%1%5%
align=left Quinnipiac[62] October 5–7, 2013899±3.3%41%53%1%5%
align=left Stockton Polling Institute[63] October 3–8, 2013729±3.6%39%50%11%
align=left Monmouth[64] October 10–12, 20131,393±2.6%42%52%2%4%
align=left Rutgers-Eagleton[65] October 7–13, 2013513±4.3%36%58%3%3%
align=left Harper Polling[66] October 13–14, 2013778±3.5%41%52%2%5%
align=left Quinnipiac[67] October 10–14, 20131,696±2.4%40%54%5%

With Holt Jr.

Poll sourceSteve
Lonegan (R)
Rush D.
Holt Jr. (D)
OtherUndecided
align=left QuinnipiacJune 7–9, 2013858±3.4%31%36%1%32%
align=left MonmouthJune 10–11, 2013560±4.2%41%44%15%
align=left QuinnipiacJuly 2–7, 20131,068±3%36%37%3%24%

With Oliver

Poll sourceSteve
Lonegan (R)
Sheila
Oliver (D)
OtherUndecided
align=left MonmouthJune 10–11, 2013560±4.2%42%44%14%
align=left QuinnipiacJuly 2–7, 20131,068±3%37%35%3%16%

With Pallone

Poll sourceSteve
Lonegan (R)
Frank
Pallone (D)
OtherUndecided
align=left QuinnipiacJune 7–9, 2013858±3.4%29%39%2%31%
align=left MonmouthJune 10–11, 2013560±4.2%40%45%14%
align=left QuinnipiacJuly 2–7, 20131,068±3%34%38%3%25%

Results

Booker defeated Lonegan on October 16, 2013.[68] Booker resigned as Mayor of Newark on October 30, 2013[69] and was sworn in on October 31, 2013, as the junior U.S. senator from New Jersey.[70]

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

Results by congressional district

Booker 6 of the 12 congressional districts.[71]

DistrictBookerLoneganRepresentative
61.54%37.33%Rob Andrews
45.7%53.1%Frank LoBiondo
46.25%52.73%Jon Runyan
41.35%57.31%Chris Smith
49.0%50.25%Scott Garrett
55.97%42.93%Frank Pallone Jr.
43.81%55.31%Leonard Lance
78.1%20.46%Albio Sires
65.83%33.1%Bill Pascrell
86.23%12.63%Donald Payne Jr.
46.69%52.49%Rodney Frelinghuysen
64.8%34.15%Rush Holt Jr.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: New Jersey Senate election turnout; only 24%. USAToday. October 18, 2013.
  2. News: Sen. Frank Lautenberg dead at 89 . Aaron . Blake . June 3, 2013 . June 3, 2013 . The Washington Post . June 30, 2013 . https://archive.today/20130630203556/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/06/03/frank-lautenberg-dead-at-89 . dead .
  3. Web site: Writ of Election . June 4, 2013 .
  4. News: N.J. Gov. Chris Christie appoints state Attorney General Jeff Chiesa to Senate - The Washington Post. The Washington Post.
  5. Web site: Official numbers show record low voter turnout for Christie-Buono race. December 3, 2013. nj.com. April 3, 2018.
  6. News: Christie outlines special election for Lautenberg's U.S. Senate seat . . June 4, 2013.
  7. News: Christie to appoint Jeff Chiesa to Senate . . Aaron Blake . June 6, 2013 . June 6, 2013.
  8. News: Zernike. Kate. Christie Picks New Jersey's Attorney General to Be Interim Senator. June 6, 2013. The New York Times. June 6, 2013. Santora. Marc.
  9. News: Appellate ruling upholds Christie's move to schedule special Senate contest before Election Day . . Linhorst . Michael . Campisi . Anthony . June 14, 2013 . June 14, 2013.
  10. News: N.J. Supreme Court leaves special Senate election in October. . Campisi . Anthony . June 20, 2013 . June 20, 2013.
  11. News: Shirley Turner Proposes Moving New Jersey Elections In 2013 To October . . Celock . John . June 9, 2013 . June 14, 2013.
  12. Web site: Bills 2012 - 2013 . June 30, 2013 . . June 20, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130620111813/http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bills/BillsByNumber.asp . dead . Search by "A4237".
  13. News: Livio. Susan K.. Ill-fated bills challenging Christie plan for Oct. 16 Senate election pass. June 30, 2013. The Star-Ledger. NJ.com. June 27, 2013.
  14. News: Friedman. Matt. Christie vetoes bill to move general election to Octobers. September 26, 2013. The Star-Ledger. NJ.com. September 9, 2013.
  15. News: Christie calling in reinforcements for N.J. election bonanza . . Rizzo . Salvador . June 20, 2013 . September 26, 2013.
  16. News: Reimbursement for Specified Expenses for the 2013 Special Primary Election/Special General Election for the office of U.S. Senate . NJ Division of Elections . . Giles . Robert F. . July 17, 2013 . September 26, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130927221051/http://www.njslom.org/letters/special-election-reimbursement.pdf . September 27, 2013 . dead . mdy-all .
  17. News: Christie outlines special election for Lautenberg's U.S. Senate seat . . Rizzo . Salvador . June 20, 2013 . June 20, 2013.
  18. News: Piscataway doctor gathering petitions toward U.S. Senate GOP Primary run . Politicker NJ . Max Pizarro . June 7, 2013 . June 7, 2013.
  19. Web site: Zarephath Health Center . June 24, 2013.
  20. News: NJ Physician Alieta Eck, MD testifies before U.S. Senate Subcommittee . . June 8, 2011 . June 26, 2013.
  21. News: What ObamaCare Is All About . . April 14, 2010 . June 26, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120605182936/http://www.takebackmedicine.com/news/what-obamacare-is-all-about.html . June 5, 2012 . dead . mdy-all .
  22. News: Replacing Medicaid With Real Charity - an Alieta Eck Presentation, sponsored by John Birch Society . https://archive.today/20130628035025/http://www.meetup.com/greaternewyorkcityjbsfreedomcampaign/events/80066942 . dead . June 28, 2013 . Meetup . Adria Hotel Bayside . October 11, 2012 . June 26, 2013 .
  23. Web site: Steve Lonegan is the first to announce bid for U.S. Senate. June 5, 2013. June 5, 2013. The Star-Ledger. Brent. Johnson.
  24. Web site: Bramnick won't run for U.S. Senate seat this year. June 6, 2013. June 6, 2013. PolitickerNJ. Max. Pizarro.
  25. Web site: Doherty says he won't run, backs Lonegan, rips Christie in fiery spiel. June 5, 2013. June 5, 2013. The Star-Ledger. Jarrett. Renshaw.
  26. Web site: Christie calls for October election to fill Lautenberg's Senate seat : page all . NorthJersey.com . June 5, 2013.
  27. Web site: Kyrillos and Bramnick Out ». June 6, 2013.
  28. News: Sheila Oliver 'seriously considering' run for U.S. Senate in special election . NJ.com . David Giambusso . June 6, 2013 . June 7, 2013.
  29. News: Santora. Marc. Geraldo Rivera is Not the King of Rohan. National Journal. June 7, 2013. June 7, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130609105756/http://www.nationaljournal.com/politics/geraldo-rivera-is-not-the-king-of-rohan-20130607. June 9, 2013. dead. mdy-all.
  30. http://chpp.kean.edu/poll/kean-poll-booker-way-front-christie-approval-rating-70-percent-little-support-snowden Kean University
  31. http://www.quinnipiac.edu/institutes-and-centers/polling-institute/new-jersey/release-detail?ReleaseID=1917 Quinnipiac
  32. http://www.quinnipiac.edu/institutes-and-centers/polling-institute/new-jersey/release-detail?ReleaseID=1933 Quinnipiac
  33. Web site: Cory Booker formally enters NJ Senate race, endorsed by Bill Bradley. June 8, 2013. June 8, 2013. Associated Press. theGrio. Angela. Delli Santi. Geoff. Mulvihill.
  34. News: Holt officially gets in the U.S. Senate contest . Politicker NJ . Max Pizarro . June 6, 2013 . June 7, 2013.
  35. News: Friedman. Matthew. Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver stirs up field with potential Senate run. January 14, 2013. The Star-Ledger. January 13, 2013.
  36. Web site: Oliver tells Dems she'll file papers to run for Senate tomorrow. The New York Observer. June 10, 2013.
  37. Web site: Pallone tells NJ Dem congressman he's running for Senate. June 4, 2013. June 4, 2013. The Hill. Cameron. Joseph.
  38. Web site: Andrews will not pursue U.S. Senate seat. June 4, 2013. June 4, 2013. PolitickerNJ. Max. Pizarro.
  39. Web site: Beth Mason, wealthy Democratic activist, won't run for Senate. June 7, 2013. June 8, 2013. The Star-Ledger. Matt. Friedman.
  40. News: U.S. Sen. Race: Pallone and Holt in, Booker mum, Sweeney out, Bramnick and others mulling . Politicker NJ . Darryl R. Isherwood . June 5, 2013 . June 7, 2013.
  41. http://eagletonpollblog.wordpress.com/2013/06/10/rutgers-eagleton-poll-democrats-give-booker-early-lead-in-sen-primary-most-voters-oppose-special-election-scheduling-given-cost/7 Rutgers-Eagleton
  42. http://www.quinnipiac.edu/institutes-and-centers/polling-institute/new-jersey/release-detail?ReleaseID=1906 Quinnipiac
  43. https://web.archive.org/web/20130711071004/http://www.monmouth.edu/assets/0/84/159/2147483694/3dc2fa01-5d0f-4400-b766-d560177df60e.pdf Monmouth
  44. http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2013/new_jersey/election_2013_new_jersey_senate Rasmussen
  45. https://web.archive.org/web/20130804224347/http://www.monmouth.edu/assets/0/84/159/2147483694/af4219e8-b572-47f4-9739-d830b5232732.pdf Monmouth
  46. Web site: Cory Booker makes history as he defeats Steve Lonegan in U.S. Senate election. Star-Ledger. Staff. October 17, 2013. nj.com.
  47. Web site: Booker wins New Jersey Senate seat. Elizabeth. Titus. POLITICO. October 16, 2013 .
  48. News: Glueck. Katie. Cory Booker wins N.J. Senate primary . Politico. August 14, 2013. August 19, 2013 .
  49. News: Campisi. Anthony. Dumont man among 6 to file for N.J. Senate run as third-party candidates . Politico. August 13, 2013. August 25, 2013.
  50. Web site: Details for Committee ID : C00540500 . . fec.gov . October 11, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150511205101/http://images.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/fecimg/?C00540500 . May 11, 2015 . dead . mdy-all .
  51. Web site: 2Details for Committee ID : C00546044 . . fec.gov . October 11, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150610210404/http://images.nictusa.com/cgi-bin/fecimg/?C00546044 . June 10, 2015 . dead . mdy-all .
  52. Web site: Top Contributors 2014 Race: New Jersey Senate . . July 29, 2013.
  53. Web site: Top Industries 2014 Race: New Jersey Senate . . July 29, 2013.
  54. https://web.archive.org/web/20130828210051/http://www.monmouth.edu/assets/0/32212254770/32212254991/32212254992/32212254994/32212254995/30064771087/cd85f576-ac1d-4557-a310-434137d5f648.pdf Monmouth
  55. http://publicmind.fdu.edu/2013/govsenaug/ Fairleigh Dickinson University
  56. http://www.politickernj.com/files/SenElectionSept2013.pdf Rutgers-Eagleton
  57. https://web.archive.org/web/20160323220635/http://chpp.kean.edu/poll/new-jersey-survey-1000-likely-voters-0 Pulse Opinion Research
  58. http://intraweb.stockton.edu/eyos/hughescenter/content/docs/Polling/2013%20Polling/StocktonSenateRacePoll2013PressRelease.pdf Stockton Polling Institute
  59. http://www.quinnipiac.edu/institutes-and-centers/polling-institute/new-jersey/release-detail?ReleaseID=1956 Quinnipiac
  60. https://web.archive.org/web/20131004213611/http://www.monmouth.edu/assets/0/32212254770/32212254991/32212254992/32212254994/32212254995/30064771087/9fbb443b-9c85-4ade-925d-c821a9e0e589.pdf Monmouth
  61. http://publicmind.fdu.edu/2013/sengovoct/ Fairleigh Dickinson University
  62. https://archive.today/20131009134453/http://www.quinnipiac.edu/institutes-and-centers/polling-institute/new-jersey/release-detail?ReleaseID=1962 Quinnipiac
  63. http://www.politickernj.com/68730/stockton-booker-leads-lonegan-11-points Stockton Polling Institute
  64. https://web.archive.org/web/20131021072254/http://www.monmouth.edu/assets/0/32212254770/32212254991/32212254992/32212254994/32212254995/30064771087/1992fc4b-5224-4d5b-a1e9-e0c5691158b5.pdf Monmouth
  65. https://web.archive.org/web/20131030001630/http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~redlawsk/EP/Tables2014/SenElectionOct2013.pdf Rutgers-Eagleton
  66. https://web.archive.org/web/20131016153838/http://www.conservativeintel.com/1015-conservative-intel-poll-of-njsen/ Harper Polling
  67. http://www.quinnipiac.edu/institutes-and-centers/polling-institute/new-jersey/release-detail?ReleaseID=1965 Quinnipiac
  68. Web site: Mayor Cory Booker Now Senator-Elect Cory Booker. Intelligencer. October 16, 2013 .
  69. Web site: See Cory Booker's resignation letter as he bids farewell to Newark City Hall, goes to Washington. Eunice. Lee. October 31, 2013. nj.com.
  70. Web site: Cory Booker takes his superhero act to the Senate. October 31, 2013. MSNBC.
  71. Web site: Daily Kos Elections' statewide election results by congressional and legislative districts. Daily Kos. 11 August 2020.