Pallone livid over Currie use of his photo, but Booker says nothing

Democratic State Chairman John Currie, trying to flip votes from Monmouth and Ocean counties for his re-election campaign, has enraged Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-Long Branch) for using his photo on a campaign mailer.

Currie is also using a photo with U.S. Senator Cory Booker, although it’s not immediately clear if Booker authorized it.

“Congressman Pallone is furious to see his picture being used in a mail piece sent around the state from Currie and (Peg) Shaffer without his permission and has been calling around to leaders including Currie himself to relate his anger,” a source close to Pallone, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told the New Jersey Globe.  “The Currie organization had no right to use this picture and to imply that he had given his support.”

Currie’s mailer doesn’t claim the endorsement of Pallone or Booker, but the inclusion of the two popular Democrats could infer support.

Pallone has not endorsed anyone in the race for state chairman.

Booker’s office has not responded to a 3:01 PM question clarifying the senator’s position on the race between Currie and Essex County Democratic Chairman LeRoy Jones, Jr.

A spokesperson would not say whether Booker supports Currie or Jones, or even if he is staying out of the fight.

While Pallone was firm in disavowing the Currie mailer, Booker’s team declined comment entirely.

That puts Booker in a potentially precarious position in his home state, where his silence might infer that he has a preference in the state chairmanship battle but refuses to state it publicly.