the 2013 NJ Senate Election, Following the Death of Popular Longtime Senator Frank Lautenberg, Newark Mayor Cory Booker Would end up seeking and winning the seat in an October special election, held a few weeks ahead of the Gubernatorial election
Due to his eagerness for higher office, Booker attracted many critics, including Representative Frank Pallone and the family of the Desceased Lautenberg, along with other primary rivals such as Rep. Rush D. Holt and Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver.
Booker won the Primary with 59% of the vote.
In the General election Steven M. Lonogan, the former Republican Mayor of Bogota attacked Booker for Newark's crime rate and sought to tie Booker to president Obama, whom was increasingly unpopular in the state, in addition to trying to portray Booker as a self interested opportunist who was using the job of Senator as a stepping stone.
But, at the end of the Day NJ's Partisanship carried Booker over the line, leading him to a 10.9% victory over Lonogan
A year Later in 2014 Booker Won reelection over 1978 NJ Senate nominee, Republican Pollitical consultant Jeff Bell. Bell, whom defeated Moderate Senator Clifford P. Chase in the primary had lived in Virginia since he last lost this specific Senate seat in 1978.
But, due to being significantly underfunded, and running a conservative populist campaign against Booker, he ended up losing by 13.5% to the Incumbent, an increase of 2.6% for Booker from 2013.