By The Associated Press

Published: Thursday, January 31, 2013, 8:36 p.m.
Updated: Thursday, January 31, 2013

NEWARK — Geraldo Rivera, who hosts a weekend show on Fox News Channel, said on Thursday that he is seriously thinking about running for the Senate representing New Jersey.

“Buckle your seat belts!” said Rivera before announcing on his radio show on WABC-AM in New York that he is “truly contemplating” a Senate bid.

He said he has spoken to some people in the New Jersey GOP about a run, but he didn't say what they told him.

Rivera got a mixed response when he asked his 30,000 Twitter followers how they feel about him challenging either Sen. Frank Lautenberg or Newark Mayor Cory Booker.

At 89, Lautenberg is the oldest sitting senator. The Democrat hasn't said whether he will seek re-election.

Booker, also a Democrat, has announced he is exploring a run but hasn't made clear if he would challenge Lautenberg in a primary, should the senator seek another term.

No Republican has formally announced an interest in running.

Rivera, 69, said he has commitments to Fox and the radio show, but “I figure at my age if I'm going to do it, I gotta do it.”

“And there doesn't seem to be any Republicans ready to work against or run against” Lautenberg or Booker, he said.

The New Jersey Republican Party did not return an email asking for comment.

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