Booker shuts down report of being on SCOTUS short list

NEW YORK (FOX5NY) - Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) is rumored to be on a short list of nominees to fill the seat left vacant by the recent passing of Justice Antonin Scalia on the U.S. Supreme Court.  But the junior senator from New Jersey says it's not going to happen.

Appearing on Fox 5 morning program, 'Good Day New York,' on Tuesday, Booker, 46, shot down the speculation that President Barack Obama wants to nominate him to the nation's highest court.

“My focus is being the senator from New Jersey so I do not see that happening," said Booker. "I will tell you right now, I am going to remain the senator from the great state of New Jersey."

President Obama seems intent on nominating a justice and Senate Republicans appear likely to block his nominee.

Now in the Senate for two years, Booker says President Obama "reaches out" to Republicans and Democrats.

"Article 2 Section 2, the "President shall" nominate, he has to do this," said Booker. "We have to understand that we are in a very harsh, destructively divisive period in our nation. We are great when we are together. We need to get back there."

While Booker may be focused on working for the Garden State, he might be taking other political aspirations into account for not accepting a nomination.

Political insiders say Booker is preparing for an eventual White House run.  But like most politicians, he is shooting down those rumors, for now, too.

"I want to be president of the New Jersey Star Trek Association," joked the die-hard 'Trekkie.'