Local/State

Oprah helps Booker in US Senate race in New Jersey

Friday, August 02, 2013

In this Sept. 4, 2012, photo, Newark Mayor Cory Booker addresses the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. President Barack Obama may face the voters in two months, but several Democrats are already laying the groundwork for a future White House run. Up-and-coming Democratic stars like Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, Booker and others are making the rounds before state delegations and at private events surrounding the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

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u.s. senate, new jersey news, local/state

Associated Press

JERSEY CITY, N.J. (AP) -August 2, 2013 (WPVI) -- Oprah Winfrey helped the front-runner in the Democratic primary for New Jersey Senate raise cash while his opponents participated in an NAACP debate.

Winfrey joined Cory Booker in Jersey City for the Thursday fundraiser, where donors paid between $1,000 and $2,600 a head.

Meanwhile, in Newark where Booker is mayor, three candidates competing against Booker answered written questions from the audience about Social Security, Medicare and civil rights issues. Newark NAACP President Deborah Gregory said it would have been great if Booker had brought Winfrey to the forum.

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Booker's Democratic opponents criticized him for raising money instead of answering questions. A Booker spokesman said the fundraiser was scheduled before the campaign was invited to the forum.

The candidates are running for the seat of the late Sen. Frank Lautenberg.

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u.s. senate, new jersey news, local/state