Booker dives into Orange mayoral contest with endorsement of Hawkins

ORANGE - Newark Mayor Cory Booker today lent his public support to the mayoral candidacy of Eldridge Hawkins, Jr.

"I know what it takes to restore hope and a new direction to a city in crisis," Booker wrote in a message to Orange voters that appeared on Hawkins campaign mailers throughout the Essex County city on the eve of the last weekend before Election Day.

"Eldridge Hawkins has the competence, good ideas and determination to create a bright future for Orange," Booker wrote of the 28-year old West Orange police officer.

The Friday mailer features additional reconfirmations of Hawkins’s candidacy from state Sen. President Richard Codey (D-Essex), Assemblywoman Mila Jasey (D-South Orange), and councilmen Hassan Abdul Rasheed, and Ed Marable, Jr.

At Large Councilman Donald Page, who is running for mayor against Hawkins, said of Booker’s endorsement, "This is people from out of town. We’ve got a senator from out of Orange telling us who should be our mayor and an assemblywoman from out of town telling us who should be our mayor. This is a Democratic machine trying to take over Orange.

"Orange belongs to the City of Orange," Page added. "We’re going to win because the people of Orange are with me."

On receiving the Booker mailer, grassroots activist Bruce Meyer, a supporter of mayoral candidate Janice Morrell, promptly tried to send an email to the Newark mayor, which he says repeatedly bounced back.

"I admire what you have been doing for Newark and applaud your support of Barack Obama," wrote Meyer. "I cannot understand, however, your support for Eldridge Hawkins, Jr. for mayor of Orange, or why you would want to meddle in Orange politics. Hawkins has little experience - in business or politics - other than that created by his endorsements and his politically connected family."

Also running for mayor are North Ward Councilwoman Tency Eason, Planning Board Chair Dwight Holmes and activist Betty Brown.

"No comment," said Eason when asked about the Booker endorsement.

The Hawkins campaign released a statement on Friday evening.

"The person who brings Orange back to greatness will be one who can mobilize and unite different factions for the betterment of the city while forming liaisons with elected officials from neighboring communities," said Hawkins. "Because of this, we are extremely delighted that Newark's Mayor Cory Booker has given his endorsement.  Both our cities are Essex County urban communities. That which effects one municipality will inevitably impact the other from a county perspective.

"Having open lines of communication with Booker and other Mayors can benefit our individual cities and county at large," Hawkins added. "We are very pleased that Mayor Booker has shown his confidence in me. Hopefully, the citizenry of Orange does likewise by their votes on May 13th. I will not let them down,"