Source: White House Had A Hand In Booker's Decision

http://www.buzzfeed.com/rubycramer/white-house-had-a-hand-in-bookers-decision

Source: White House Had A Hand In Booker's Decision

The Obama administration “convinced him to run for Senate” instead of governor, a source tells BuzzFeed. But a primary against Lautenberg would be “an unpleasant episode.”
Ruby Cramer BuzzFeed Staff

Posted Dec 20, 2012 12:12pm EST


New Jersey state Democrats were disappointed Thursday morning to learn that Newark Mayor Cory Booker had made an official decision to opt out of the 2013 gubernatorial race.

A senior New Jersey official told BuzzFeed that Booker's choice to run for Senate in 2014 instead — issuing a potential primary challenge to current senior Senator Frank Lautenberg — was influenced in large part by the White House.

snip//

If Sen. Lautenberg goes not give up his seat, Booker would have to challenge the senior Senator in a Democratic primary. Lautenberg would be 90 years old running for a six-year term in 2014, were he to run for reelection, but is still not expected to step down, say state officials.

"Frank has not spoken at all about his intention to retire, and the Senate race is more than 13 months away, which in New Jersey politics is 13 lifetimes," said N.J. Democrat.

A Democratic primary, said the source, "would be an unpleasant episode for New Jersey."

White House and Democratic National Committee officials didn't immediately respond to an inquiry about Christie's decision.