Meissner forms exploratory committee for 2020 U.S. Senate race

Stuart Meissner, an attorney from Bergen County, announced today that he has formed an exploratory committee for the 2020 GOP nomination for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Cory Booker.

Booker, a Democrat candidate for the 2020 nomination to lose to President Trump, has not yet indicated if he will also seek reelection to the Senate. Under a recent law signed by Governor Phil Murphy, it is now legal for a former Newark mayor to run for Senate and either President or Vice President simultaneously.

Meissner has run against Booker previously. He was an Independent candidate in the 2013 special election that Governor Chris Christie scheduled for August to fill the vacancy which resulted upon the death of Senator Frank Lautenberg, Meissner ran on a platform on alimony reform, according to NJ.com

Meissner has retained veteran GOP operative Pete Sheridan to work on his exploration.

“I have decided to take the first step in challenging Cory Booker, who has consistently put his own political ambitions above the needs of Garden State voters. From his abysmal record as Mayor of Newark to his thoroughly underwhelming career in the U.S. Senate, Booker has spent enough time on the taxpayer dime in pursuit of the political limelight,” Meissner said.

“If the last two weeks have proven anything, it’s that Cory Booker is more focused on chasing voters in Iowa and New Hampshire, than helping his constituents facing the water crisis back home in New Jersey. We deserve better,” continued Meissner.

Asked how much of a personal investment he was prepared to make in a potential campaign, Meissner said, ““If I decide to run, I’ll be in it to win. I will make sure the campaign has the resources it needs to get started as we build out our team and fundraising operation.”

Former gubernatorial and congressional candidate Hirsh Singh and marketing consultant Tricia Flanagan are declared candidates for the 2020 GOP Senate nomination.