Despite regaining an additional likely vote following New Jerseys special Senate election last week, industry observers note that Rep. Mel Watts, D-NC, confirmation prospects to be the next Federal Housing Finance Agency director remain doubtful. With the election of Newark Mayor Cory Booker, D, to fill the seat formerly held by Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D, until his June 2013 death, the unofficial vote count for Watts nomination rises back to 56 to 44.