 On December 20 , 2012 , Booker announced that he would explore running for the U.S. Senate seat that was then occupied by Frank Lautenberg in the 2014 election , ending speculation that he would challenge Governor Chris Christie in the 2013 gubernatorial election . On January 11 , 2013 , Booker filed papers to form a campaign committee , without announcing whether or not he would run . Roughly one month after declaring his interest in running for the Senate , incumbent Lautenberg announced that he would not seek reelection . 
