The widow of U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg has offered an endorsement of Rep. Frank Pallone to fill her late husband's seat.Bonnie Lautenberg made her first appearance with Pallone on Monday, attending a campaign event at a former Superfund toxic waste site in East Rutherford.

She and Lautenberg's children have endorsed Pallone to fill the seat left vacant by her husband's death in June. Bonnie Lautenberg said Pallone has been a champion on environmental issues and was her husband's "go-to guy" in the House of Representatives.

While noting that another Democratic senate hopeful, Newark Mayor Cory Booker, is more telegenic and appears on more talk shows, Lautenberg said Pallone has proven himself to be an effective legislator.

The special Senate primary is to be held next month.

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