Cory Booker Leads N.J. Senate Primary In Polls, Dollars

Published August 12, 2013 at 12:35 PM EDT

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In this photo provided by WBGO, Democratic U.S. Senate candidates, from left, Newark Mayor Cory Booker, State Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver, U.S. Frank Pallone and U.S. Rep. Rush Holt prepare for a debate Thursday, Aug. 8, 2013, at the WBGO Performance Studio in Newak, N.J. (WBGO via AP)

With fewer than 24 hours until New Jersey’s special Democratic Senate primary election, Newark Mayor Cory Booker is up by more 35 percent in the polls, with a campaign war chest $5 million above that of his next closest rival.

This, despite questions about his multimillion dollar investment in the video sharing website Waywire, and recent disclosures about buyout payments from his former law firm.

Booker’s challengers include two veteran congressmen, Frank Pallone and Rush Holt, yet Booker remains the celebrity and best-known name in the group.

The special election will seek a replacement for five-term Senator Frank Lautenberg, who died of pneumonia in early June at the age of 89.

Guest

Eugene Sonn, audio news director for WHYY in Philadelphia.