Pallone Opening Campaign Offices In 5 Counties

U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-6) is ramping up his campaign footprint in a race for a vacant U.S. Senate seat, his campaign announced Monday.

Pallone, who trails Newark Mayor Cory Booker by a substantial margin in recent polling, is scheduled to open five campaign offices throughout central and northern New Jersey by Wednesday, according to a release.

The Pallone campaign will open the last of its regional offices when a Rahway office opens on Wednesday. Pallone also this week opened offices in Bergen, Essex, Middlesex and Monmouth counties.

Pallone, along with U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (D-12) and Newark Mayor Cory Booker are vying for the Democratic nomination to run for the U.S. Senate seat of late Sen. Frank Lautenberg. A special primary election is scheduled for Aug. 13.

The winner will face either Steve Lonegan, former Bogota mayor, or Alieta Eck, a doctor from Somerset County, who are competing for the GOP nomination. The special election is set for Oct. 16.

Pallone in the release again pushed for his Democratic challengers to sign a pledge to keep outside money out of the election. Pallone previously had issued a challenge to his fellow Democrats to sign a so-called “People’s Pledge.” He so far has had no takers.