The 2013 NJ Senate election, A Contest between Newark Mayor Cory Booker and Frm Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan Resulted in the rising African American Democratic Star upgrading from Local into national politics.
This special occurred as a result of the death of Frank Lautenberg in June 2013. He had already announced his retirement with Booker the perceived likely successor
But multiple Dems sought to challenge him in 2013, though due to Booker having most county lines, he beat a splintered opposition of Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ-06) Rush Holt (NJ-12), & Fellow Essex Pol Speaker of the Assembly Sheilah Oliver convincingly with 60% of the vote
Lonegan, a proto-tea party Republican, was given the nomination by the GOP Organization - with this being the result of most people knowing that Booker was going to win
However, once in the General Lonegan, a proto-teapartier Stuck to Campaining on Bookers weaknesses. Those being Crime in Newark and perceived opportunism (such as floating a campaign before lautenberg retired).
This combined with a national downturn in Democratic Fortunes, and extensive campaining by the increasingly upopular President Obama for Booker to result in Booker beating Lonegan by a closer than expected 10.9%
In his 2013 win Cory Booker won 6/12 Congressional Districts to Lonegan's 6/12 CDs, 12/21 Counties to Steve Lonegan's 9/21 Counties and 25/40 Legislative Districts to Lonegan's 15/40 LDs.