Lonegan Blames Shutdown On Senate Race Loss

Steve Lonegan blames the federal government shutdown for costing him New Jersey's special Senate election to Cory Booker.

"There is no doubt in my mind or in the minds of any of my campaign staff that the shutdown cost me the election," the Republican told the Star Ledger.  "If I had known it was going to happen and that it was going to be handled so badly in Washington, I wouldn't have run for senate."

Lonegan lost the election to 55%-44% to Democrat Newark Mayor Cory Booker. The shutdown started on October 1 and he says all momentum his race had was lost when he plan to bash Obamacare turned into an attack on the Tea Party.

"The Republicans in Washington fumbled it terribly and it became all about the shutdown and the debacle of Obamacare's launch was lost," he told the Star Ledger.

Lonegan said he had to support the shutdown because he is a team player. "You either have to attack your party or be a team player. I was a team player," said Lonegan, who has sworn off future political runs.

A date for Booker to take over the Senate seat currently held on an interim basis Jeff Chiesa has yet to be announced.