Candidates Vie for Lautenberg's Senate Seat

With Monday the deadline for prospective U.S. Senate hopefuls to get their signatures into the State in time for August's primary, the list of candidates vying for the vacant seat has operated as a sort of accordion, growing and shrinking as announcements are made, rumors dispelled, and campaigns kicked off.

Opting for a special election to find a replacement for five-term U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) who died earlier this week, Gov. Chris Christie's decision generated critcism but plenty of significant interest from both Republicans and Democrats, many of whom see their potential election this October as a leg up in the 2014 race. 

But, when it comes to making an official announcement, there's been some reticence.

Though some candidates have announced their decision to run to friends and supporters, the first person to express it publicly thus far is former Bogota mayor and New Jersey Chapter of Americans For Prosperity president Steve Lonegan.

U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (D-12) also announced late Thursday that he is pursuing the seat.

Running as a Republican, Lonegan, a Tea Party favorite, has been campaigning for the necessary 1,000 petition signatures in earnest since Wednesday, updating his official Facebook page regularly and attending rallies in different conservative hot spots throughout the state.

A longshot though he might be, Lonegan for some time remained alone on the list of official announcements.

Despite this, he certainly wasn't alone in his decision to run. The Democratic side of the primary is expected to be highly contested, with at least three candidates having said that they're at least considering a run.

Newark mayor and Oprah pal Cory Booker has made his interest known, but has so far declined to make an official announcement. However, according to the Star Ledger, Booker spokesman Kevin Griffis confirmed that volunteers were busy collecting the necessary signatures due by Monday.

Joining Booker in the unofficial-but-not-really category are two Democratic Congressmen, Holt, and Rep. Frank Pallone (D-6). 

According to Politicker NJ, Holt announced his decision in an email blast to supporters. In his email, Holt, who serves parts of central New Jersey and is bolstered there by bumper stickers that read "My Congressman is a Rocket Scientist" said he believes he's the best candidate to continue the "passionate advocacy for progressive values" exemplified by Lautenberg.

Pallone, whose district includes many shore towns, has also expressed interest in the Senate seat. He also has a financial advantage over the field, at least at the moment. According to Politicker NJ, Pallone has about $3 million in his campaign war chest compared to Holt's approximately $700,000.

New Jersey Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-3) has also been identified as a potential candidate, though he has denied his interest in the race.

On the Republican side things are less clear. 

On Wednesday, the Star Ledger reported that Assemblyman Jon Bramnick (D-21) had reached out to at least three Republican County chairmen seeking their support of his Senate run. On Thursday, Bamnick announced his decision not to run.

Some of the delay in announcement may be a result of the uncertainty of being able to collect enough signatures to run, at least in the case of lesser-known Senate hopefuls. Included among these are Piscataway medical doctor Alieta Eck, who is attempting to collect enough signatures ahead of the Monday deadline. An opponent of Obamacare, Eck is seeking the Republican primary ticket.