Geraldo Rivera Senate Run Being 'Contemplated' for 2014

(Photo: Facebook/Geraldo Rivera)
Geraldo Rivera and Rep. Michael Grimm.

By Sami K. Martin , Christian Post Contributor

February 1, 2013|7:14 am

Geraldo Rivera is allegedly mulling a 2014 run for Senate in the state of New Jersey. The Fox News host may have a battle on his hands as he may have to do battle against such figures as Newark Mayor Cory Booker, who has also expressed interest in running for the seat.

"I mention this only briefly, fasten your seatbelt. I mentioned this only briefly to my wife… but I am, and I've been in touch with, some people in the Republican Party in New Jersey. I am truly contemplating running for Senate against Frank Lautenberg or Cory Booker," Rivera said during his radio show.

The television host-turned-political commentator may face a serious challenge in running against the Newark mayor. Booker is a well-known political figure whose actions have surprised many and have helped his image. He has rescued a woman from a burning building, delivered needed good to Hurricane Sandy victims, and most recently rescued a dog left out in the cold.

Rivera, on the other hand, has been known for his reporting and, at times, rather controversial opinions. After Trayvon Martin was shot and killed by George Zimmerman, Rivera found himself in hot water after suggesting that Martin's apparel was to blame for his death.

"I think the hoodie is as responsible for Trayvon Martin's death as George Zimmerman was," Rivera said on "Fox and Friends." He later apologized for his comments after revealing that his son "wrote to say he's ashamed of my position re: hoodies."

"I'm not going to drill this out, because obviously I've got commitments to Fox and to here at the radio program, and I'm having a really great time," Rivera said on the radio. "But I figure at my age, if I'm going to do it, I've got to do it. And there doesn't seem to be any Republicans ready to work against or run against Cory Booker, the popular Newark mayor."

"There's clearly an opening in the Republican Party, and the GOP doesn't have an obvious candidate," Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics, told Fox News Latino. "He's a celebrity, he's going to have a lot of money – probably a lot of his own money – so you can't discredit that. Booker vs. Rivera is going to be a very entertaining race to say the least."