>Sweeney plans to take first step on federal campaign trail
State Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney said Monday he plans to file paperwork this week to open a federal exploratory committee, a first signal that the Democrat is interested in running for federal office.
Sweeney declined to say whether he would challenge incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg in 2014, saying only that he was keeping “all options open” as he looks to the future. (DeFalco, Associated Press)
