By Berit Ollestad
Cory Booker’s senate campaign tour stopped in Morristown on Saturday to plug Mayor Tim Dougherty and his council slate, and to enjoy some home cooking.
“Mayor Dougherty represents the people and that’s what I intend to do in Washington. I want to be a voice for the people back here in New Jersey and make the changes needed in government, regardless of what it takes,” said the Newark mayor, who squares off against Republican Steve Lonegan in a special election on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2013, to succeed the late Sen. Frank Lautenberg.
Photos by Berit Ollestad and Bill Lescohier. Please click icon below for captions.
Polls will be open from 6 am to 8 pm. Here are the polling places in Morristown, Morris Township and Morris Plains. Polling information for other Morris County towns is here.
On Oct. 17, Mayor Dougherty will debate GOP opponent Richard Babcock and Independent candidate Ed France at a forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters, at the Alexander Hamilton School at 7 pm.
After speaking on Saturday to a standing-room-only crowd wedged into the Team Dougherty headquarters on Washington Street, Booker’s bus made a quick hop to Mo-Town’s Hair Affair, known as “The Barber Shop over on Abbett.”
Both mayors mingled with residents and enjoyed some home cooking.
“I think it was a monumental moment for the children to be in the presence of a potential senator. It gives the children the ability to believe that anything and everything is achievable. It isn’t everyday we are exposed to someone with that stature,” said Tyrone Lynch, owner of Mo-Town’s Hair Affair.
Councilwoman Toshiba Foster, who is running unopposed in the November election, expressed condolences to Booker, whose father passed away only days earlier.
“It was very very gracious of him to humble himself and come to our community to show he cares about our town as much as we do. To see his smile, especially during such a difficult time in his life, makes it clear that it isn’t just politics to him, it’s about the people and that’s what we need,” Foster said.
it was a great time…chef melody