Booker Had Heads Up Lautenberg Would Retire

The chief of staff to the late Sen. Frank Lautenberg’s (D-NJ) told Cory Booker’s staff that his boss would retire and asked Booker to wait before jumping in the U.S. Senate race, the Newark Star Ledger reports.

“The answer was no. And on Dec. 20, Booker all but declared his candidacy for the seat… For that and many other perceived slights, Lautenberg’s family members have not forgiven Booker. They’ve made it clear on the campaign trail by supporting one of Booker’s rivals, Rep. Pallone (D-NJ), in the Aug. 13 Democratic primary, which was called after the senator’s death last month.”