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Today’s R&D provides articles on this week’s New Jersey’s special election for the U.S. Senate.  Democratic candidate and Newark mayor Cory Booker defeated Republican candidate Steve Lonegan by a ten point margin, 55-45%.  Despite the convincing win, political analysts noted that Booker underperformed and Lonegan clawed back from a forty point deficit earlier in the race, but could not find enough votes for victory in a traditionally “blue” state.  Democrats gained a Senate seat from the win, since Booker will replace Republican Jeff Chiesa, who Governor Chris Christie appointed to the seat after the death of Senator Frank Lautenberg in June.