Chris Christie May Face Challenge From Cory Booker

Chris Christie is gaining a national stature, but back home the popular Republican could face a challenge for his governor’s seat from Newark Mayor Cory Booker.

The New Jersey governor is up for re-election in 2013, and, because Booker has assumed a national stature along with his strong fundraising skills, some Democrats see him as the best chance to knock off Chris Christie, PolitickerNJ reported. Booker has reportedly been meeting with county chairs in New Jersey, telling them that he will decide by December whether he will run or not.

“He’s the most viable candidate who comes to mind at this moment,” said Charlotte DeFilippo, chair of the Union County Democratic Committee.

Chris Christie may be a difficult person to challenge, Politico reported. For one, Chris Christie has forged a friendship with Booker, and both men would be supported by some of the same well-financed hedge funds and private equity financiers in the state. These same funders have given greater support to Chris Christie in the past, Politico noted.

Not everyone sees Cory Booker’s meetings with county chairs as an indication that he’ll make a run at Chris Christie, PolitickerNJ reported.

“I don’t know what he ultimately plans to do,” said one source.

There could be one scenario where Booker wins the governor’s chair over Chris Christie, Politico reported. If Mitt Romney wins the presidency in November, the popular Republican Christie would likely be appointed to a cabinet chair, leaving the governor’s seat open for Cory Booker to take.

But there is a good chance that Chris Christie will still be in New Jersey next year, whether Romney wins or not, the Newark Star-Ledger reported. He noted that, even if Romney wanted to appoint him to a cabinet position, he would still prefer to stay in the Garden State.

Chris Christie is set to make the keynote speech at the Republican National Convention in Tampa next week, which many political analysts think will push him to a greater national stature. Not Christie, though.

“It’s funny to me that people are so fascinated with what I’m doing next,” Chris Christie said. “I like what I’m doing now.”