New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, right, talks with Newark Mayor Cory A. Booker during groundbreaking ceremonies for the Teachers Village development in downtown Newark, N.J. A New Jersey Democratic county chairman says Booker has told him he’s considering running for governor against Chris Christie in 2013, according to The Associated Press, Friday, Aug. 24, 2012. (AP Photo/Mel Evans, File)
Newark mayor Cory Booker sat down with The Daily Show on Wednesday night and potentially shed more light on his next political move.
Speaking with host Jon Stewart, the outspoken mayor talked about his personal and professional relationship with New Jersey’s Gov. Chris Christie.
“He [Gov. Christie] is a good conservationist, he’s a friend of mine, but there are definite policy differences that could provide a real reason to run,” said Booker.
Booker highlighted differences on key policies, saying that he agreed with Gov. Christie’s original stance of not raising taxes, but the governor’s change in actions has had him considering if it is worthy to run for the office.
The mayor said, “The governor cut the Earned Income Tax Credit, which is in effect a tax raise on the lowest income earners in our state, and so you have them paying suddenly more taxes.”
Booker also advocated for investment in the transportation infrastructure as a means of bringing in more revenue to the state because he believes that is one of the areas the government has been inefficient.
A rising star in the Democratic party, Booker has the option of running for either the New Jersey governor office in 2013 or U.S. Senate in 2014.
