Holt
Holt

The Princeton Community Democratic Organization, the local democratic club for Princeton, voted unanimously last night to endorse Rush Holt as their choice to fill Frank Lautenberg’s U.S. Senate seat.

Holt will face Newark Mayor Cory Booker, U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, and Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver in the August primary. Gov. Chris Christie decided to hold a special election this year to fill the seat.

The October 16 special election will occur just 20 days before the regularly scheduled November 5 election in which Christie will be running for reelection against Sen. Barbara Buono (D-Middlesex). The two special elections will cost the state an additional $23.8 million, according to the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Services.

Holding an election in 2013 gave Pallone and Holt the opportunity to run against Booker without giving up their U.S. House seats if they lose.

Holt, a resident of Hopewell, has served in Congress for 14 years.