There are some states that just seem to attract larger-than-life personalities so it seems to make perfect sense that mustachioed, controversial, and very colorful television and radio host, Geraldo Rivera, is “truly contemplating” a run for the Senate seat in the feisty state of New Jersey. Even more astonishing, he’s prepared to make that run against uber-hero and current Newark mayor, Cory Booker.





A character who has both enraged and entertained throughout a long career in the media, Rivera currently anchors his own show on Fox News, Geraldo at Large. A lawyer who’s often referred to his legal background in debating high-profile court cases in the media, Rivera began his career as a news reporter, then later hosted and became a correspondent for ABC’s Good Morning America. He had his own talk show, Geraldo, for a number of years, and continues reporting and analyzing the news of the day via his current show on Fox. Known for his sometimes incendiary statements, his most recent media snafu involved ill-advised comments about the Trayvon Martin case and how hoodies created perception problems for young men of color. In the uproar that followed, he made further news for both his apology to the Martin family and the continued antipathy his comment garnered from many.

But now it’s 2013, a new day, and there’s a Senate seat opening up in the state of New Jersey. For awhile it wasn’t clear if New Jersey star, Cory Booker, was going to vie for that seat or make a run against Chris Christie for governor. Booker finally announced in December that he was ready to focus on the Senate seat… it looks like he may be getting some high-profile competition. From The Hill:

In an aside on his radio show, the host said that he had contacted the local GOP in New Jersey, where he is considering a run in the next election cycle in 2014. “I mention this only briefly, fasten your seatbelt,” Rivera said on his radio show. “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.” “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 really having a great time,” Rivera added. “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 Corey Booker, the popular Newark mayor.”

Now, that would be a fight to see! Whether or not Rivera could survive the rigors of a primary to actually ascend to the top spot on the GOP ticket remains to be seen. But from the perspective of covering the election, it’s hard to picture a more colorful or potentially entertaining scenario than those two particular men facing off in a state with the flair and flash of New Jersey!

Stay tuned…

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