Politics

Palin to campaign against Cory Booker for ‘largest grassroots campaign event in New Jersey history’

Alex Pappas Political Reporter
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Sarah Palin is expected at a campaign rally in New Jersey over the weekend for Steve Lonegan, the insurgent Republican candidate running against Newark mayor Cory Booker for the U.S. Senate.

“I am honored to have Governor Palin join us for the largest grassroots campaign event in New Jersey history,” Lonegan said.

Booker, the Democratic nominee, and Lonegan will face off on Oct. 16 for the special election to finish the term of Democratic Sen. Frank Lautenberg, who died earlier this year.

Booker’s overwhelming advantage in the race has decreased over the last several months. A recent Quinnipiac poll shows Booker ahead of Lonegan by only 12 points — something that has given the GOP hope in a traditionally blue state with a popular Republican governor, Chris Christie.

Lonegan praised Palin, the former Alaska governor and 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee, ahead of the rally as someone who should be vice president.

“While Joe Biden uses the excuse of a government shutdown to avoid an embarrassing reception campaigning for Cory Booker, I am proud to have the opportunity to stand next to a great conservative leader who should have been the vice president as we go into the final hundred hours til victory on Wednesday, October 16th,” he said.

The group Tea Party Express is helping to organize the rally.

“Unlike Democrat Cory Booker who will be a rubber stamp for the liberal policies for President Barack Obama, Steve Lonegan has demonstrated a passion for fighting against the increasing size, cost, and intrusiveness of government,” chairman Amy Kremer said.

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