Sweeney eyes U.S. Senate run

New Jersey Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D., Gloucester) is planning to start a federal fund-raising committee with an eye toward running for U.S. senator in 2014, he said Friday.

The seat is held by Democratic Sen. Frank Lautenberg, who at age 87 is serving his fifth nonconsecutive term.

"It's not saying I'm going to challenge Lautenberg; I'm keeping my options open," Sweeney said. "Who knows where we're going to be three years from now?"

Lautenberg is the oldest member of the Senate. He reportedly has said that he intends to run for reelection.

Lautenberg's spokesman, Caley Gray, wrote in an e-mail Friday night: "Sen. Lautenberg will be prepared to meet any potential challenge, but right now he's focused on working hard for his state and getting Sen. Menendez and President Obama reelected."

Robert Menendez faces reelection in November. State Sen. Joseph Kyrillos (R., Monmouth), a close friend of Gov. Christie's, is the likely Republican challenger, although he has yet to announce his candidacy.

The news about Sweeney's committee was first reported Friday by PolitickerNJ.com.

Sweeney, 52, an organizer for the ironworkers' union, was elected to the state Senate in 2002 and became its president in 2010.

Newark Mayor Cory Booker has a federal political action committee and has been considered a possible Democratic U.S. Senate candidate in the future. He has raised $80,000, according to the Federal Election Commission.

Both Booker and Sweeney also have been considered by Democrats as possible challengers to Christie in 2013.

Sweeney said many people had encouraged him to consider starting the committee. The paperwork will be filed "very soon," he said.