Booker Campaign War Chest at Nearly $2 Million

Mayor and likely Democratic candidate for US Senate Cory Booker has raised $1.9 million for a 2014 campaign, mostly in small increments, according to published reports.

A statement released Monday said about two-thirds of the donations Booker has received were for $200 or less. In prior political campaigns, Booker has garnered support from high-powered donors in the financial, tech and entertainment industries.

Booker, who is serving his second term as mayor, has already announced he will not seek a third term in 2014. Speculation about the political future of the nationally prominent 43-year-old  reached a high point last year, when Booker said he was mulling a run for governor this year against incumbent Republican Chris Christie. A few months ago, however, Booker decided he would instead seek election to the Senate seat now held by Frank Lautenberg.

Lautenberg has already announced he would not seek re-election in 2014.

Despite setting up a campaign organization, Booker has so far refrained from formally declaring his intention to run for Senate, stating he would not make an official announcement until after the gubernatorial election in November. Booker is campaigning for Christie’s likely challenger, state Sen. Barbara Buono.

In the most recent Senate election in New Jersey, held last year, incumbent Robert Menendez had raised slightly more than $11 million through October 2012, going on to trounce his Republican challenger, state Sen. Joe Kyrillos.