Booker collects 7,000 signatures for New Jersey special election

{mosads}Candidates hoping to run for the seat vacated by deceased Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D) are required to submit 1,000 signatures by Monday afternoon.

Following Lautenberg’s death early Monday morning of last week, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) scheduled the primary for Oct. 16 and the general election for Aug. 13. Christie announced the special election plans last Tuesday, however, giving potential candidates just under a week to collect the needed signatures.

According to Booker spokesman Kevin Griffis, the mayor collected the needed signatures using only volunteer help, from Friday through Sunday of last week.

Democratic Reps. Rush Holt and Frank Pallone Jr., as well as state Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver, have also indicated their intentions to run for the seat, but have not yet released their petition tallies.