View source for Cory Booker

{{Short description|American politician (born 1969)}}
{{Redirect|Senator Booker|the Virginia State Senate member|Marshall B. Booker}}
{{Good article}}
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{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2019}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Cory Booker
| image               = Cory Booker, official portrait (119th Congress).jpg
| caption             = Official portrait, 2025
| office2              = Chair of the [[United States Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee|Senate Democratic Strategic Communications Committee]]
| leader2              = [[Chuck Schumer]]
| 1blankname2          = Vice Chair
| 1namedata2           = [[Tina Smith]]
| term_start2          = January 3, 2025
| term_end2            = 
| predecessor2         = [[Debbie Stabenow]] (Policy and Communications)
| successor           = 
| jr/sr1              = United States Senator
| state1              = [[New Jersey]]
| alongside1          = [[Andy Kim]]
| term_start1         = October 31, 2013
| term_end1           = 
| predecessor1        = [[Jeffrey Chiesa]]
| successor1          = 
| office3             = 38th [[List of mayors of Newark, New Jersey|Mayor of Newark]]
| term_start3         = July 1, 2006
| term_end3           = October 31, 2013
| predecessor3        = [[Sharpe James]]
| successor3          = [[Luis A. Quintana|Luis Quintana]]
| office4             = Member of the [[Municipal Council of Newark|Newark Municipal Council]]<br>from the Central Ward
| term_start4         = July 1, 1998
| term_end4           = June 30, 2002
| predecessor4        = George Branch
| successor4          = Charles Bell
| birth_name          = Cory Anthony Booker
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1969|4|27}}
| birth_place         = [[Washington, D.C.]], U.S.
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| party               = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| relatives           =
| education           = [[Stanford University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]], [[Master of Arts|MA]])<br>[[The Queen's College, Oxford|Queen's College, Oxford]] ([[Master of Arts (Oxford, Cambridge, and Dublin)|MA]])<br>[[Yale University]] ([[Juris Doctor|JD]])
| signature           = Cory Booker Signature.svg
| signature_alt       = Cursive signature in ink
| website             = {{URL|booker.senate.gov|Senate website}}
| module              = {{Infobox college football player
| embed               = yes
| school              = Stanford Cardinal
| currentnumber       = 81
| currentposition     = [[Tight end]]
| class               = 1991
| major               = [[Political science]]
| highschool          = [[Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan]]
| highlights          = 
* [[USA Today All-USA High School Football Team]] (1986)
| height_ft           = 6
| height_in           = 4
| weight_lb           = 220
|module      = {{Listen
|pos         = center
|embed       = yes
|filename    = Cory Booker speaks on Public Defenders.ogg
|title       = Booker's voice
|type        = speech
|description = Booker speaking about public defenders<br/>Recorded March 16, 2023}}}}
}}
'''Cory Anthony Booker''' (born April 27, 1969)<ref name=":1" /><ref name="path" /> is an American politician serving as the [[Seniority in the United States Senate|senior]] [[United States Senate|United States senator]] from [[New Jersey]], a seat he has held since 2013. A member of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]], Booker is the [[List of African-American United States senators|first African-American]] U.S. senator from New Jersey. He was the 38th [[List of mayors of Newark, New Jersey|mayor of Newark]] from 2006 to 2013, and served on the [[Municipal Council of Newark]] for the [[Central Ward, Newark, New Jersey|Central Ward]] from 1998 to 2002.

Booker was born in [[Washington, D.C.]], and raised in [[Harrington Park, New Jersey]]. He attended [[Stanford University]], receiving a BA in 1991 and a master's degree a year later. He attended [[Queen's College, Oxford]], on a [[Rhodes Scholarship]] before attending [[Yale Law School]]. He won an [[Upset (competition)|upset victory]] for a seat on the [[Municipal Council of Newark]] in 1998, staging a 10-day [[hunger strike]] and briefly living in a tent to draw attention to [[Urban planning|urban development]] issues in the city. He ran for mayor in [[2002 Newark mayoral election|2002]] but lost to incumbent [[Sharpe James]]. He ran again in [[2006 Newark mayoral election|2006]] and defeated Deputy Mayor [[Ronald L. Rice|Ronald Rice]]. Booker's [[#Mayor of Newark|first term]] saw the doubling of [[affordable housing]] under development and the reduction of the city [[Balanced budget|budget deficit]] from $180 million to $73 million. He was reelected in [[2010 Newark mayoral election|2010]]. 

Booker was elected to the U.S. Senate in [[2013 United States Senate special election in New Jersey|New Jersey's 2013 special election]] and reelected in [[2014 United States Senate election in New Jersey|2014]] and [[2020 United States Senate election in New Jersey|2020]]. Throughout his Senate tenure, Booker has written, sponsored, and voted for legislation advancing [[women's rights]], [[affirmative action]], [[same-sex marriage]], and [[single-payer healthcare]]. He has pushed for economic reforms to address [[Wealth inequality in the United States|wealth inequality in the U.S.]], particularly the [[Racial inequality in the United States|racial wealth gap]]. Booker has pursued measures to reform the [[Criminal justice reform in the United States|criminal justice system]], [[climate change mitigation|combat climate change]], and restructure national [[Immigration to the United States|immigration policy]]. In foreign policy, he has voted for tougher [[sanctions against Iran]], voiced support for the [[Withdrawal of United States troops from Afghanistan (2011–2016)|withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan]], and lobbied for increased diplomacy in the Middle East. He became New Jersey's senior senator when [[Bob Menendez]] resigned on August 20, 2024.

Booker became the first senator to ever [[United States congressional hearing|testify against another]] senator during attorney general nominee [[Jeff Sessions]]'s 2017 confirmation hearing. Booker [[Cory Booker 2020 presidential campaign|ran for the Democratic nomination]] in the [[2020 United States presidential election|2020 U.S. presidential election]], and suspended his campaign on January 13, 2020. From March 31 to April 1, 2025, he delivered the [[Cory Booker's marathon speech|longest speech in U.S. Senate history]], lasting 25 hours and five minutes, in protest of the [[second presidency of Donald Trump]].

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== Early life and education ==
Booker was born in [[Washington, D.C.]]; he grew up in [[Harrington Park, New Jersey]], {{convert|20|mi|km}} northeast of [[Newark, New Jersey|Newark]].<ref name=":1">{{cite web |title=BOOKER, Cory Anthony – Biographical Information |url=https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/B001288 |website=bioguide.congress.gov}}</ref><ref name="path">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/10/nyregion/10man.html |title=Cory Anthony Booker: On a Path That Could Have No Limits |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=May 10, 2006 |last=Cave |first=Damien|access-date=September 8, 2013}}</ref> His parents, Carolyn Rose ([[née]] Jordan) and Cary Alfred Booker (1936–2013), were among the first black [[IBM]] [[Senior management|executives]].<ref name=path /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2012/03/23/149222907/helping-celebrities-find-their-roots |title=Helping Celebrities Find Their Roots |publisher=NPR |last=Martin |first=Michel |date=March 23, 2012 |access-date=April 6, 2012}}</ref><ref>''[[Finding Your Roots]]'', [[PBS]], March 25, 2012.</ref> Booker has said that he was raised in a religious household and that he and his family attended a small [[African Methodist Episcopal Church]] in New Jersey.<ref>{{cite web |last=Gilgoff |first=Dan |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/god-and-country/2009/08/07/newark-mayor-cory-bookers-course-on-world-religions-in-hebrew-and-english |title=Newark Mayor Cory Booker's Course on World Religions |website=[[U.S. News & World Report]] |date=August 7, 2009 |access-date=May 21, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617175931/http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/god-and-country/2009/08/07/newark-mayor-cory-bookers-course-on-world-religions-in-hebrew-and-english |archive-date=June 17, 2013 }}</ref> Booker has [[Sierra Leonean Americans|Sierra Leonean]] ancestry, which he learned when featured on the [[PBS]] television program ''[[Finding Your Roots]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Adamu |first1=Zaina |title=10 influential American celebrities who have traced their African roots |url=https://face2faceafrica.com/article/10-influential-american-celebrities-who-have-traced-their-african-roots/2 |website=Face2Face Africa |access-date=February 16, 2020 |date=June 19, 2019}}</ref>

Booker graduated from [[Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan]], where he played [[High school football|varsity football]] and was named to the [[1986 USA Today All-USA high school football team]]. He graduated from [[Stanford University]] with a [[Bachelor of Arts]] in [[political science]] in 1991 and a [[Master of Arts]] in [[sociology]] in 1992. He played [[American football|football]] for Stanford at [[tight end]] and was teammates with [[Brad Muster]] and [[Ed McCaffrey]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Stanford University career football statistics |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/cory-booker-1.html |publisher=Sports-Reference.com |access-date=September 8, 2013}}</ref> making the All-[[Pac-12 Conference|Pacific-10]] Academic team. He was elected senior class president.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stanforddaily.com/2012/06/17/cory-booker-delivers-2012-commencement-address/ |title=Cory Booker delivers 2012 commencement address |last=Gallagher |first=Billy |date=June 17, 2012 |website=[[The Stanford Daily]] |access-date=September 8, 2013}}</ref><ref name="serviceaward">{{cite web |url=http://archive.stanforddaily.com/?p=1000223 |last=Moller |first=Alexandra |title=Lyons Award honors service |work=[[Stanford Daily]] |date=February 28, 2001 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120624011945/http://archive.stanforddaily.com/?p=1000223 |archive-date=June 24, 2012 |access-date=September 8, 2013}}</ref> In addition, Booker ran The Bridge Peer Counseling Center, a student-run crisis hotline, and organized help from Stanford students for youth in [[East Palo Alto, California]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.stanford.edu/pr/91/910617Arc1296.html |title=Booker, Kafka receive Sterling Awards for service |website=[[Stanford University]] |date=June 6, 1991 |access-date=November 12, 2012 |archive-date=October 17, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017195721/http://news.stanford.edu/pr/91/910617Arc1296.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Booker was awarded a [[Rhodes Scholarship]] to study at [[The Queen's College, Oxford]], earning a degree in United States history in 1994.<ref name=serviceaward /> At Oxford, Booker served as president of the [[Oxford University L'Chaim Society]] and became a close friend of [[Shmuley Boteach]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://observer.com/2016/02/cory-bookers-book-omits-the-real-story-of-his-support-for-iran-deal/ |title=Cory Booker Refused to Meet With Ron Dermer and Elie Wiesel Over Iran Deal |date=February 22, 2016 |work=[[The New York Observer|Observer]] |first=Shmuley |last=Boteach |author-link=Shmuley Boteach |access-date=December 7, 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/05/31/cory-booker-orthodox-rabbi-were-like-brothers-now-they-dont-speak/ |title=Cory Booker and the Orthodox rabbi were like brothers. Now they don't speak. |date=May 31, 2019 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |first=Sullivan|last=Kevin |access-date=April 3, 2025 }}</ref> He obtained his [[Juris Doctor]] in 1997 from [[Yale Law School]] and operated free legal clinics for low-income residents of [[New Haven, Connecticut]]. At Yale, Booker was a founding member of the Chai Society (now [[Shabtai (society)|Shabtai]]).<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Yale's Secret Society That's Hiding in Plain Sight |last=Pitluk |first=Adam |date=March 26, 2011 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |url=http://content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2057526,00.html |access-date=May 29, 2012}}</ref> He also was a Big Brother with [[Big Brothers Big Sisters of America]] and active in the [[National Black Law Students Association]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.law.yale.edu/ylr/pdfs/v55-2/S08_CoryBooker.pdf |title=Cory Booker is on a Mission |last=Thomas |first=Kaitlin |website=[[Yale University Law School]] |access-date=September 8, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725151737/http://www.law.yale.edu/ylr/pdfs/v55-2/S08_CoryBooker.pdf |archive-date=July 25, 2012 }}</ref>

== Municipal Council of Newark ==
Contemplating advocacy work and a run for city council in Newark after graduating from law school, Booker lived in the city during his final year at Yale.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.law.yale.edu/news/3232.htm |title=Newark City Councilman Cory Booker '97 to Lecture on Monday, September 24, at 4:30 p.m | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120417163502/http://www.law.yale.edu/news/3232.htm |archive-date=April 17, 2012 |access-date=February 3, 2017 | date=September 20, 2001 |website=[[Yale University Law School]]}}</ref> After graduation, he served as staff attorney for the [[Urban Justice Center]] in New York and program coordinator of the Newark Youth Project.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mountunion.edu/mount-union-announces-schooler-lecturer |title=Mount Union Announces Schooler Lecturer |publisher=[[University of Mount Union]] |date=August 8, 2012 |access-date=September 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120819231359/http://www.mountunion.edu/mount-union-announces-schooler-lecturer |archive-date=August 19, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1998, Booker won an upset victory for a seat on the [[Municipal Council of Newark]], defeating four-term incumbent George Branch.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.goucher.edu/news-and-events/cory-booker |title=Fall 2011 Robert and Jane Meyerhoff Visiting Professor: Cory Booker, Mayor of Newark, NJ |date=October 12, 2011 |access-date=December 15, 2012 |website=[[Goucher College]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102133613/http://www.goucher.edu/news-and-events/cory-booker |archive-date=November 2, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> To draw attention to the problems of open-air drug dealing and associated violence, he went on a 10-day [[hunger strike]], living in a tent and later in a motor home near drug-dealing areas of the city.<ref>{{cite web |last=Stevens |first=Andrew |title=Cory Booker, Mayor of Newark, New Jersey |publisher=[[City Mayors Foundation]] |url=http://www.citymayors.com/mayors/newark-mayor.html |access-date=May 29, 2012}}</ref> Booker also proposed council initiatives that affected housing, young people, law and order, and the efficiency and transparency of City Hall, but was regularly outvoted.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.biography.com/people/cory-booker-20967497 |title=Cory Booker Biography |website=[[The Biography Channel]] |year=2012 |access-date=December 15, 2012}}</ref>

== Mayor of Newark ==

=== Mayoral campaigns ===
[[File:Cory Booker for Newark.jpg|thumb|Cory Booker for Newark campaign sign|upright=1]]

==== 2002 election ====
{{See also|2002 Newark mayoral election}}
On January 9, 2002, Booker announced his campaign for [[Mayors of Newark, New Jersey|mayor of Newark]] rather than running for reelection as councilman.<ref name="king">{{cite news |title=The madness of Newark's King James |last=Huffington |first=Arianna|author-link=Arianna Huffington |date=April 30, 2002 |url=http://dir.salon.com/story/news/col/huff/2002/04/30/newark/index.html |work=[[Salon (website)|Salon]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060614085422/http://dir.salon.com/story/news/col/huff/2002/04/30/newark/index.html |archive-date=June 14, 2006 |access-date=September 8, 2013}}</ref><ref name="key">{{cite web |url=http://www.nj.com/news/newarkrace/stories/elect4.html|title=Key moments in Sharpe James' run for mayor|date=May 16, 2002|website=[[The Star-Ledger]]|publisher=[[New Jersey On-Line]]}}</ref> That pitted him against longtime incumbent [[Sharpe James]]. James, who had easily won election four consecutive times, saw Booker as a real threat and responded with [[mudslinging]]. At one campaign event, James called him "a Republican who took money from the [[KKK]] [and] [[Taliban]] ... [who's] collaborating with the [[Jews]] to take over Newark."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Tuttle |first=Brad R. |title=How Newark Became Newark |publisher=Rivergate Books |year=2009 |isbn=9780813544908 |pages=253}}</ref> In the campaign James's supporters questioned Booker's suburban background, calling him a [[carpetbagger]] who was "not black enough" to understand the city.<ref>{{cite news|last=Cave|first=Damien|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/04/nyregion/04newark.html|title=In a Debate of Newark Mayoral Candidates, Some Agreement and a Lot of Discord|date=May 4, 2006|work=The New York Times|access-date=September 23, 2020}}</ref> Booker lost the election, garnering 47% of the vote to James's 53%.<ref name=key /> The Oscar-nominated documentary ''[[Street Fight (film)|Street Fight]]'' chronicles the election.<ref>{{cite web|title=Street Fight (2005)|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/10006588-street_fight/|website=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=April 16, 2019}}</ref>

During the campaign, Booker founded the nonprofit organization Newark Now.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cave |first1=Damien |title=WORTH NOTING; Newark's Problems? Where to Begin? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/31/nyregion/worth-noting-newarks-problems-where-to-begin.html |access-date=December 5, 2018 |work=The New York Times |date=July 31, 2005}}</ref>

==== 2006 election ====
{{See also|2006 Newark mayoral election}}
{{Cory Booker series}}
On February 11, 2006, Booker announced that he would run for mayor again.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://travel.nytimes.com/2006/02/11/nyregion/11newark.html|title=Rival Returns in Newark, Making a Rematch Possible|last=Cave|first=Damien|date=February 10, 2006|work=The New York Times|access-date=September 23, 2020}}</ref> Although James filed paperwork to run for reelection, he announced shortly thereafter that he would instead cancel his bid to focus on his work as a [[New Jersey Senate|state senator]], a position to which he was elected in 1999.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/28/nyregion/28sharpe.html|title=After 5 Terms as Newark Mayor, James Opts Not to Run Again|last=Cave|first=Damien|work=The New York Times|date=March 28, 2006|access-date=September 23, 2020}}</ref> At James's urging, Deputy Mayor [[Ronald L. Rice|Ronald Rice]] decided to run for mayor.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/06/nyregion/06mbrfs.html|work=The New York Times|title=Newark: Deputy Mayor Enters The Race|date=March 6, 2006|access-date=September 23, 2020}}</ref> Booker's campaign, raising over $6 million, outspent Rice's 25 to 1, for which Rice attacked him. Booker, in turn, attacked Rice as a "political crony" of James.<ref>{{cite news|last=Cave|first=Damien|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/10/nyregion/10newark.html|title=On 2nd Try, Booker Glides In as Newark Mayor|date=May 10, 2006|work=The New York Times|access-date=September 23, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/packages/html/nyregion/20060510_NEWARK_FEATURE/blocker.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530070503/http://www.nytimes.com/packages/html/nyregion/20060510_NEWARK_FEATURE/blocker.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 30, 2013|title=Newark Feature: A New Political Era|date=May 10, 2006|work=The New York Times}}</ref> Booker won the May 9 election with 72% of the vote. His slate of city council candidates, known as the "Booker Team", swept the council elections, giving Booker firm leadership of the city government.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/10/nyregion/10council.html|title=Booker's 'Team' Dominates Municipal Council Contests|date=May 10, 2006|access-date=December 15, 2012|last=Benson|first=Josh|work=The New York Times}}</ref>

==== 2010 election ====
{{See also|2010 Newark mayoral election}}
On April 3, 2010, Booker announced his candidacy for reelection. At his announcement event, he remarked that a "united government" was crucial to progress, knowing his supporters in the city council faced tough reelections.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/04/booker_kicks_off_re-election_c.html|title=Newark Mayor Cory Booker kicks off re-election campaign|date=April 3, 2010|access-date=September 23, 2020|last=Giambusso|first=David|website=[[The Star-Ledger]]|publisher=[[New Jersey On-Line]]}}</ref> Heavily favored to win, Booker faced former judge and [[Essex County, New Jersey|Essex County]] prosecutor Clifford J. Minor and two minor candidates.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/10/nyregion/10newark.html|title=Mayor Booker Favored, but Newark Is in No Mood to Celebrate This Year|date=May 9, 2010|access-date=September 23, 2020|work=The New York Times|last=Pérez-Peña|first=Richard|author-link=Richard Pérez-Peña}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/05/cory_booker_reelected_as_newar.html|title=Cory Booker is re-elected as Newark mayor for second term|date=May 12, 2010|website=[[NJ.com]]|access-date=September 23, 2020}}</ref> Booker was reelected with 59% of the vote.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/world/la-xpm-2012-dec-24-la-na-cory-booker-20121225-story.html |title=Newark Mayor Cory Booker aims for higher office |date=December 24, 2012 |first=Alana |last=Semuels |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=June 25, 2019 }}</ref>

=== Tenure ===
Before taking office as mayor, Booker sued the James administration, seeking to terminate cut-rate land deals favoring two redevelopment agencies that had contributed to James's campaigns and listed James as a member of their advisory boards. Booker argued that the state's "[[Pay to play#In politics|pay-to-play]]" laws had been violated and that the land deals would cost the city more than $15 million in lost revenue. Specifically, Booker referenced a parcel at Broad and South Streets that would generate only $87,000 under the proposed land deals yet was valued at $3.7 million under then-current market rates.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/19/nyregion/19newark.htm|work=The New York Times|title=Booker Says Newark Mayor Is 'Giving Away Our Land'|last=Cave|first=Damien|date=April 19, 2006|access-date=April 30, 2010}}</ref> On June 20, 2006, Superior Court Judge Patricia Costello ruled in Booker's favor.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wang|first=Katie|url=http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/essex/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1150866745162770.xml&coll=1|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120910025612/http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/essex/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1150866745162770.xml&coll=1|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 10, 2012|title=Booker wins fight on city land sales|date=June 21, 2006|website=[[The Star-Ledger]]}}</ref>

In late June 2006, before Booker took office, New Jersey investigators foiled a plot to assassinate him led by [[Bloods]] gang leaders inside four New Jersey state prisons. The motive for the plot was unclear, but was described variously as a response to the acrimonious campaign<ref name="nytimes.com">{{cite news|last=Jones|first=Richard G.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/06/nyregion/06booker.html|title=Threat to Newark's Mayor-Elect Leads to 24-Hour Police Guard|date=June 5, 2006|work=The New York Times|access-date=September 23, 2020}}</ref> and to Booker's campaign promises to take a harder line on crime.<ref name="nytimes.com" />

==== First term ====
[[File:CyVance CoryBooker.jpg|thumb|Booker at a fundraiser with [[New York County District Attorney]] candidate [[Cyrus Vance Jr.]] in 2009|upright]]
Booker took office as mayor of Newark on July 1, 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=1943606|title=Newark Elects Cory Booker First New Mayor in Two Decades in Landslide Victory|website=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|date=May 9, 2006|first=Janet|last=Frankston|access-date=May 10, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070310212753/http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=1943606|archive-date=March 10, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Cave|first=Damien|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/02/nyregion/02booker.html|title=Pledging to Revive Newark, a New Mayor Goes to Work|date=July 2, 2006|work=The New York Times|access-date=September 23, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Segal|first=David|author-link=David Segal (reporter)|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/02/AR2006070200814.html|title=Urban Legend How Cory Booker Became Newark's Mayor: By Being Almost Too Good to Be True|date=July 3, 2006|access-date=September 23, 2020|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> After his first week in office, he announced a 100-day plan to implement reforms. The proposed changes included increasing police forces, ending background checks for many city jobs to help former offenders find employment in the city, refurbishing police stations, improving city services, and expanding summer youth programs.<ref>{{cite news|first=Ronald|last=Smothers|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/11/nyregion/11newark.html|title=Booker Has 100-Day Plan for Newark's Reorganization|date=July 11, 2006|work=The New York Times|access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref>

One of Booker's first priorities was to reduce the city's [[crime rate]]. In furtherance of this, he appointed former deputy commissioner of operations of the [[New York City Police Department]] [[Garry McCarthy]] director of the [[Newark Police Department]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/07/nyregion/07newark.html|title=New York City Crime Strategist Picked as Director of Newark Police Force|last=Jacobs|first=Andrew|date=September 7, 2006|work=The New York Times|access-date=November 23, 2012}}</ref> Crime reduction was such a central concern of Booker's administration that he and his security team were known to personally patrol Newark's streets until as late as 4 a.m.<ref name="Time2009_07">{{cite magazine |first=Sean |last=Gregory |title=Cory Booker is (Still) Optimistic That he can Save Newark |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1910983,00.html |format=Magazine |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |location=[[New York City|New York]] |date=July 27, 2009 |pages=36–40 |access-date=July 19, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826201322/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0%2C9171%2C1910983%2C00.html |archive-date=August 26, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Booker was a member of the [[Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mayorsagainstillegalguns.org/html/members/members.shtml#NJ |title=Mayors Against Illegal Guns: Coalition Members |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020183627/http://www.mayorsagainstillegalguns.org/html/members/members.shtml |archive-date=October 20, 2013 }}</ref> a bipartisan group with a stated goal of "making the public safer by getting illegal guns off the streets". In October 2009, the [[Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence]] gave him the Sarah Brady Visionary Award for his work in reducing gun violence.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bradycenter.org/donate/events/nyc |title=Brady Center: Stand Up for a Safe America Gala, NYC |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515071332/http://www.bradycenter.org/donate/events/nyc |archive-date=May 15, 2011 }}</ref> During his mayoralty, crime dropped significantly in Newark, which led the nation in [[violent crime]] reduction from 2006 to 2008.<ref name="Time2009_07" /> March 2010 marked Newark's first murder-free month in over 44 years,<ref>{{cite news| url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2010/04/newark-marks-its-first-murder-free-month-in-44-years/1|work=[[USA Today]]|title=Newark marks its first murder-free month in 44 years|date=April 1, 2010|access-date=April 30, 2010}}</ref> although murder and overall crime rates began to rise again after 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.city-data.com/crime/crime-Newark-New-Jersey.html|title=Crime in Newark, New Jersey (NJ): murders, rapes, robberies, assaults, burglaries, thefts, auto thefts, arson, law enforcement employees, police officers, crime map|website=city-data.com}}</ref> In addition to his crime-lowering initiatives, Booker doubled the amount of [[affordable housing]] under development and quadrupled the amount under pre-development, and reduced the city budget deficit from $180 million to $73 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/06/newark_mayor_cory_booker_intro.html|title=Newark Mayor Cory Booker proposes budget to city council|date=June 30, 2010|access-date=December 15, 2012|website=[[The Times (New Jersey)]]|first=David|last=Giambusso}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://portsmouth-nh.patch.com/articles/in-nh-newark-mayor-says-it-s-time-for-dems-to-fight-back#photo-8669587|title=In NH, Newark Mayor Says It's Time for Dems to Fight Back|first=Marc|last=Fortier|date=December 9, 2011|access-date=March 21, 2013|website=PortsmouthPatch}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ci.newark.nj.us/userimages/STATE%20OF%20THE%20CITY%20ADDRESS%20-MAYOR%20CORY%20A%20%20BOOKER%203%201%2012%20-AS%20DELIVERED.pdf |title=State of the City Address |year=2012 |access-date=December 15, 2012 |website=Office of Newark Mayor Cory A. Booker |first=Cory A. |last=Booker |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531180756/http://www.ci.newark.nj.us/userimages/STATE%20OF%20THE%20CITY%20ADDRESS%20-MAYOR%20CORY%20A%20%20BOOKER%203%201%2012%20-AS%20DELIVERED.pdf |archive-date=May 31, 2012 }}</ref>

After taking office, Booker voluntarily reduced his own salary twice, first by 8% early in his first year as mayor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://observer.com/25th-anniversary/cory-booker-mayor-newark/ |title=Cory Booker: Mayor, Newark |date=March 2013 |access-date=March 21, 2013 |website=[[The New York Observer]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130320070430/http://observer.com/25th-anniversary/cory-booker-mayor-newark/ |archive-date=March 20, 2013 }}</ref> He also raised the salaries of many city workers.<ref name="Time2009_07" /> But his administration imposed one-day-a-month [[furlough]]s for all non-uniformed employees from July through December 2010, as well as 2% pay cuts for managers and directors earning more than $100,000 a year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dailynewarker.com/2009/03/newark-feels-the-pinch/|title=Newark Feels the Pinch|date=March 31, 2009|access-date=December 15, 2012|website=The Daily Newarker|first=Ken|last=Walker|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104194724/http://dailynewarker.com/2009/03/newark-feels-the-pinch/|archive-date=November 4, 2013}}</ref> In 2008 and 2009, the City of Newark received the [[Government Finance Officers Association]]'s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ci.newark.nj.us/userimages/downloads/Budget_I_Budget_Introduction.pdf|title=2009 Proposed Budget|first=Cory A.|last=Booker|year=2009|publisher=City of Newark|access-date=November 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716153226/http://www.ci.newark.nj.us/userimages/downloads/Budget_I_Budget_Introduction.pdf|archive-date=July 16, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pfm.com/knowledge-center/case-studies/?contentid=700|title=Case Studies – City of Newark (NJ)|website=PFM Group}}</ref> In an effort to make government more accessible, Booker held regular open office hours during which city residents could meet with him to discuss their concerns.<ref>{{cite news|first=Andrew|last=Jacobs|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/08/nyregion/08office.html|title=Access to Mayor Doesn't Solve All Problems|date=March 8, 2007|work=The New York Times|access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref> In 2010, Booker was among the finalists for the [[World Mayor]] prize, ultimately placing seventh;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldmayor.com/contest_2010/world-mayor-2010-results.html|title=Marcelo Ebrard, Mayor of Mexico City awarded the 2010 World Mayor Prize|last=Vom Hove|first=Tann|website=worldmayor.com|date=December 7, 2020|access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref> he was also an unsuccessful candidate for the 2012 award.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldmayor.com/contest_2012/longlist-2012.html|title=World Mayor 2012: The final long-list|website=worldmayor.com|date=January 8, 2013|access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref> In March 2010, Booker won a [[Shorty Award]] in the government category for having the best [[microblog]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/03/03/mayor-cory-booker-wins-twitter-award/ |title=Mayor Cory Booker wins Twitter Award |date=March 3, 2010 |publisher=CNN |first=Eric |last=Kuhn |access-date=August 3, 2020 |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128092917/https://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/03/03/mayor-cory-booker-wins-twitter-award/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In July 2010, Booker attended a dinner at a conference in [[Sun Valley, Idaho]], where he was seated with [[Facebook]] founder [[Mark Zuckerberg]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Caitlin|last=Berens|url=http://www.inc.com/caitlin-berens/buffett-zuckerberg-and-the-meeting-of-billionaires.html|title=Buffett, Zuckerberg & the Meeting of Billionaires|website=[[Inc. (magazine)|Inc.]]|location=New York City|date=July 7, 2012|access-date=September 23, 2018}}</ref> Zuckerberg, who had no known ties to Newark, announced in September 2010 that he was donating $100 million to the Newark school system. According to ''[[The New York Times]]'', Booker and Zuckerberg continued their conversation about Booker's plans for Newark.<ref>{{cite news|first=Richard|last=Pérez-Peña|author-link=Richard Pérez-Peña|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/23/education/23newark.html|title=Facebook Founder to Donate $100 Million to Help Remake Newark's Schools|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=September 22, 2010|access-date=September 23, 2018}}</ref> The initial gift was made to start a foundation for education. The gift was formally announced when Booker, New Jersey Governor [[Chris Christie]], and Zuckerberg appeared together on ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show]]''.<ref>[[The Oprah Winfrey Show]], September 24, 2010.</ref> Some considered the timing of Zuckerberg's donation a move for damage control to his image, as it was announced on the opening day of the movie ''[[The Social Network]]'', a film that painted an unflattering portrait of Zuckerberg. But on her show, Winfrey told the audience that Zuckerberg and Booker had been in talks for months, had planned the announcement for the month before, and that she and Booker had to force Zuckerberg to put his name on the donation, which he had wanted to make anonymously.<ref>{{cite web|first=Adrian|last=Chen |url=http://gawker.com/#!5647434/zuckerberg-on-oprah-my-100-million-donation-is-about-kids-not-the-social-network |title=Zuckerberg on Oprah: My $100 Million Donation Is About Kids, Not The Social Network |website=[[Gawker]] |publisher=[[Gawker Media]]|location=Los Angeles, California|date=September 24, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110211154759/http://gawker.com/ |archive-date=February 11, 2011 }}</ref>

On October 10, 2010, Booker established Let's Move! Newark as part of [[First Lady of the United States|First Lady]] [[Michelle Obama]]'s national [[Let's Move!]] initiative against [[childhood obesity]].<ref>{{cite web|website=Let's Move! Newark|url=http://blog.letsmovenewark.com/about/|title=About|access-date=February 1, 2013}}</ref>

Booker gained national attention on December 28, 2010, when a constituent asked him on [[Twitter]] to send someone to her elderly father's house to shovel his driveway because he was about to attempt to do it himself. Booker responded by tweeting, "I will do it myself; where does he live?" Other people volunteered, including one person who offered his help on Twitter, and 20 minutes later Booker and some volunteers showed up and shoveled the man's driveway.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2039945,00.html#:~:text=If%20you're%20a%20mayor,shovels%20and%20plows%20your%20way.|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|first=Sean|last=Gregory|title=Cory Booker: The Mayor of Twitter and Blizzard Superhero|date=December 29, 2010|access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/01/03/mayor-digs-in-after-twitter-appeal|work=[[CNN]]|title=Mayor digs in after Twitter appeal|date=January 3, 2010|access-date=April 23, 2012|archive-date=April 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425232755/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/01/03/mayor-digs-in-after-twitter-appeal/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==== Second term ====
In October 2011, Booker expanded the Let's Move! Newark program to include Let's Move! Newark: Our Power, a four-month fitness challenge for Newark public school students run by public health advocate [[Jeff Halevy (Personal trainer)|Jeff Halevy]].<ref>{{cite web|website=Let's Move! Newark|url=http://blog.letsmovenewark.com/event/lets-move-newark-our-power-motivates-students-to-get-fit/|title=Our Power|access-date=February 1, 2013}}</ref>

On April 12, 2012, Booker saved a woman from a house fire, suffering smoke inhalation and second-degree burns on his hands in the process. Newark Fire Chief John Centanni said that Booker's actions possibly saved the woman's life.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/04/newark_mayor_cory_booker_taken.html|title=Newark Mayor Cory Booker taken to hospital after rescuing woman from house fire|work=NJ.com|date=April 12, 2012|access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref> After [[Hurricane Sandy]] destroyed much of New Jersey's and New York's shoreline areas in late October 2012, Booker invited Newarkers without electricity and similar services to eat and sleep in his home.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/01/cory-booker-neighbors-hurricane-sandy_n_2059971.html|title=Cory Booker, Newark, New Jersey Mayor, Invites Hurricane Sandy Victims To His House|last=Jeltsen|first=Melissa|date=November 2, 2012|work=[[The Huffington Post]]|access-date=November 3, 2012}}</ref> In February 2013, responding to a Twitter post, Booker helped a nervous constituent [[Marriage proposal|propose]] to his girlfriend.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/02/cory-booker-proposal_n_2793985.html|title=Cory Booker, Newark Mayor, Helps Man Propose To Girlfriend Because He's A Romantic|date=March 2, 2013|work=[[The Huffington Post]]|first=Hayley|last=Hudson|access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref> Booker rescued a dog from freezing temperatures in January 2013 and another dog that had been abandoned in a cage in July 2013.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/25/cory-booker-rescues-dog-cold-newark-new-jersey_n_2551587.html|title=Cory Booker Rescues Dog From Cold In Newark (VIDEO)|date=January 25, 2013|work=[[The Huffington Post]]|access-date=July 2, 2013|first=Christopher|last=Mathias}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/01/cory-booker-rescues-dog_n_3528967.html|title=Cory Booker, New Jersey Mayor, Rescues Allegedly Abused Dog With Twitter's Help (TWEETS)|date=July 1, 2013|work=[[The Huffington Post]]|access-date=July 2, 2013|first=Megan|last=Griffo}}</ref>

On November 20, 2012, a [[melee]] occurred at a Newark City Council meeting Booker attended.<ref name="Zernike">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/22/nyregion/melee-at-newark-council-meeting-shows-a-rift-in-cory-bookers-support.html|title=Melee at Newark Council Meeting Shows Rift in Mayor's Support|first=Kate|last=Zernike|author-link=Kate Zernike|date=November 21, 2012|work=The New York Times|access-date=November 22, 2012}}</ref> The nine-seat council was to vote on the successor to the seat vacated by newly elected [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. Representative]] [[Donald M. Payne,&nbsp;Jr.]] Booker's opponents on the council, including [[Ras Baraka]], sought to appoint John Sharpe James, son of former mayor Sharpe James, while Booker and his supporters favored Shanique Speight. Booker attended the meeting to deal with the eventuality of the lack of a quorum or a tie vote, in which state law would allow him to cast a deciding vote. After acting council president Anibal Ramos Jr. refused Baraka an opportunity to address the council, Baraka and two other council members walked away in protest. Booker cast the deciding vote for Speight. Supporters of James stormed the stage and were held back by riot police, who eventually used [[pepper spray]] on some members of the crowd.<ref name="GiambbussoQueally">{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2012/11/newark_city_hall_disturbance_c.html|title=Citizens rush council members as chaos erupts at Newark City Hall meeting|first1=David |last1=Giambusso |first2=James |last2=Queally |date=November 20, 2012|website=[[The Star-Ledger]]|access-date=November 23, 2012}}</ref> Baraka later blamed Booker for inciting the disturbance. Booker refused to comment to the media after the vote.<ref name=Zernike /><ref name=GiambbussoQueally />

In December 2012, after discussions with a constituent about New Jersey's [[Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program]] (SNAP), Booker began a weeklong challenge attempting to live on a food budget of $30 per week—the amount he said that New Jersey paid SNAP recipients.<ref>{{cite web|first=Cory|last=Booker|title=A Movement Toward Food Justice|url=http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20121204032936-86654142-a-movement-toward-food-justice?q4884519=1|website=Blog Entry, Dec 4, 2012|publisher=[[LinkedIn]]|access-date=December 6, 2012}}</ref> When critics noted that the very name of the SNAP program shows that it is intended to "supplement" an individual's food budget, not be its sole source, Booker replied that his aim was to spark a discussion about the reality that many Americans rely solely on food stamps to survive.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/08/cory-booker-_n_2262258.html|first=Melissa|last=Jeltsen|title=Cory Booker Responds To Critics Of His Food Stamp Challenge|work=[[The Huffington Post]]|date=December 8, 2012|access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref>

=== Public opinion polling ===
Throughout Booker's mayoralty, [[Fairleigh Dickinson University]]'s public opinion poll [[Fairleigh Dickinson University#PublicMind|PublicMind]] asked New Jersey residents whether they had heard of Booker and whether they had a favorable or unfavorable opinion of him. The results were:
{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
'''September 2008'''<ref>Fairleigh Dickinson University's PublicMind, (September 11, 2008). [http://publicmind.fdu.edu/drifting/ Corzine Ratings Drift Sideways; Views of State Drift Down] (press release)</ref>
* Name recognition: 56%
* Favorable opinion: 32%
* Unfavorable opinion: 8%
{{col-break}}
'''April 2009'''<ref>Fairleigh Dickinson University's PublicMind, (April 7, 2009). [http://publicmind.fdu.edu/cvsc/tab.html Budget Batters Corzine: Still Behind Christie] (press release)</ref>
* Name recognition: 62%
* Favorable opinion: 39%
* Unfavorable opinion: 10%
{{col-break}}
'''May 2010'''<ref>Fairleigh Dickinson University's PublicMind, (May 25, 2010). [http://publicmind.fdu.edu/split/ Voters Split on Christie, But Not on His Proposals] (press release)</ref>
* Name recognition: 66%
* Favorable opinion: 42%
* Unfavorable opinion: 6%
{{col-break}}
'''May 2012'''<ref>Fairleigh Dickinson University's PublicMind, (May 11, 2012). [http://publicmind.fdu.edu/2012/eighttoone/ Booker Note: Favorable Over Unfavorable by 8-to-1] (press release)</ref>
* Name recognition: 67%
* Favorable opinion: 47%
* Unfavorable opinion: 6%
{{col-break}}
'''January 2013'''<ref>Fairleigh Dickinson University's PublicMind, (January 10, 2013). [http://publicmind.fdu.edu/2013/senjan/ Voters Favor Booker Over Lautenberg] (press release)</ref>
* Name recognition: 75%
* Favorable opinion: 66%
* Unfavorable opinion: 13%
{{col-break}}
'''March 2014'''<ref>Fairleigh Dickinson University's PublicMind, (March 2014).[http://publicmind.fdu.edu/prioryears/2014.html] (press release)</ref>
* Name recognition: 88%
* Favorable opinion: 47%
* Unfavorable opinion: 23%
{{col-end}}

=== Legacy ===
Booker's mayoralty and celebrity drew substantial media attention to Newark. While he had high ratings from Newarkers, his legacy has received mixed reviews. During his tenure, millions of dollars were invested in downtown development, but underemployment and high murder rates continue to characterize many of the [[List of neighborhoods in Newark, New Jersey|city's neighborhoods]].<ref>{{cite web | last = Dia | first = Hannington | title = Is Newark Better or Worse After Cory Booker? | publisher = News One for Black America | date = October 17, 2013 | url = http://newsone.com/2741295/cory-booker-newark-legacy/ | access-date = December 8, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Giambusso | first = David | title = Cory Booker's legacy in Newark under spotlight as he looks to Senate | newspaper = The Star-Ledger | date = October 6, 2013 | url = http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/10/cory_bookers_legacy_in_newark_under_spotlight_as_he_looks_to_senate.html | access-date = December 5, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Zernike | first = Kate | title = Promise vs. Reality in Newark on Mayor's Watch | newspaper = The New York Times | date = December 13, 2012 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/14/nyregion/promise-vs-reality-in-newark-as-mayor-eyes-higher-office.html | access-date = December 5, 2013 }}</ref> Despite legal challenges initiated during his term, [[Newark Public Schools]] remained under state control for nearly 20 years.<ref>{{cite news | last = Calefati | first = Jessica | title = State control of Newark schools upheld by panel of appellate court judges | newspaper = The Star-Ledger | date = July 9, 2013 | url = http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2013/07/state_control_of_newark_schools_upheld_by_three-judge_panel.html | access-date = December 7, 2013 }}</ref> Newark received $32 million in emergency state aid in 2011 and 2012, requiring a [[memorandum of understanding]] between Newark and the state that obligated the city to request and the state to approve appointments to City Hall administrative positions.<ref>{{cite news |last=Giambusso |first=David |date=December 5, 2013 |title=State warns Newark mayor his staff moves may not fly |url=https://www.nj.com/essex/2013/12/state_warns_newark_mayor_his_staff_moves_may_not_fly.html |access-date=December 5, 2013 |newspaper=[[NJ.com]]}}</ref>

While mayor, Booker claimed in an interview that Newark's unemployment rate had fallen by two percentage points.<ref name="FalsePercent">{{cite news|last1=O'Neill|first1=Erin|title=Cory Booker claims jobless rate fell two percentage points in Newark last year|url=http://www.politifact.com/new-jersey/statements/2012/mar/01/cory-booker/cory-booker-claims-jobless-rate-fell-two-percentag/|access-date=November 7, 2014|work=[[PolitiFact]]|date=March 1, 2012}}</ref> [[PolitiFact]] rated the claim "false" because he used data that had not been seasonally adjusted; the adjusted rate was 0.7 percentage points.<ref name=FalsePercent />

== U.S. Senate ==

=== Elections ===

==== 2013 ====
{{Main|2013 United States Senate special election in New Jersey}}
[[File:Senate-oath.jpg|thumb|Booker's swearing in as senator, with his mother and Vice President [[Joe Biden]]]]
On December 20, 2012, Booker announced that he would explore running for the [[United States Senate|U.S. Senate]] seat then occupied by [[Frank Lautenberg]] in the [[2014 United States Senate election in New Jersey|2014 election]], ending speculation that he would challenge [[Governor of New Jersey|Governor]] [[Chris Christie]] in the [[2013 New Jersey gubernatorial election|2013 gubernatorial election]].<ref name="Salon">{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2012/12/20/cory_booker_will_explore_run_for_senate_in_2014/|title=Cory Booker will explore run for Senate in 2014|first=Jillian|last=Rayfield|date=May 20, 2012|work=[[Salon (website)|Salon]]|access-date=December 20, 2012}}</ref> On January 11, 2013, Booker filed papers to form a campaign committee<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2013/01/11/newark-mayor-booker-files-papers-to-run-for-senate/|title=Newark Mayor Booker Files Papers to Run for Senate|first=Daniel|last=Trotta|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=January 11, 2013|access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref> without announcing whether he would run.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/rubycramer/cory-booker-im-not-bonding-myself-to-senate-run|title=Cory Booker Still Won't Confirm His Run For Senate|date=February 21, 2013|access-date=April 5, 2013|first=Ruby|last=Cramer|website=[[BuzzFeed]]}}</ref> About a month later, Lautenberg—then 89 years old—announced that he would not seek reelection in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/142303-lautenberg-to-retire-from-senate-opening-a-path-for-cory-booker/|title=Sen. Lautenberg won't run for reelection|first=Cameron|last=Joseph|date=February 14, 2013|access-date=February 14, 2013|website=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]}}</ref>

On June 3, Lautenberg died of [[viral pneumonia]]; five days later, Booker announced his intention to run for Lautenberg's seat in a 2013 special election. Booker announced his candidacy at two events, one in Newark and the other in [[Willingboro]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Tamari|first=Jonathan|title=United States Senate special election in New Jersey, 2013|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20130608_Cory_Booker_to_enter_Senate_race.html|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=June 8, 2013|access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref>

On August 13, 2013, Booker was declared the winner of the Democratic primary, with approximately 59% of the vote. On October 16, he defeated Republican [[Steve Lonegan]] in the general election, 54.9% to 44.0%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.gov/state/elections/2013-results/2013-official-special-general-results-us-senate-1028.pdf |title=Official List Candidates for US Senate – For SPECIAL GENERAL ELECTION FOR US SENATE 10/16/2013 Election |publisher=[[New Jersey Secretary of State]] |date=October 28, 2013 |access-date=November 7, 2013}}</ref> Booker was the first African-American to be elected to the Senate since [[Barack Obama]] in 2004.<ref name="cnn.com">{{cite news| url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/16/politics/new-jersey-election-senate/ | work=CNN | title=Shutdown key issue in special Senate election|first=Paul|last=Steinhauser | date=October 16, 2013|access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref><ref name="https">{{cite news|last=Zernike|first=Kate|title=Booker, Winning Rocky Senate Bid, Gets a Job to Fit His Profile|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/17/nyregion/booker-wins-senate-race-in-new-jersey.html|access-date=October 16, 2013|newspaper=The New York Times|date=October 16, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Taylor">{{cite news|last=Taylor|first=Jessica|title=Cory Booker wins Democratic primary in New Jersey|url=http://nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/08/13/20011535-cory-booker-wins-democratic-primary-in-new-jersey|newspaper=NBC News|date=August 13, 2013|access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite web|title=Full Timeline – Important Dates for Election Officials 2013 Special General Election for Office of U.S. Senate|url=http://nj.gov/state/elections/2013-results/2013-chron-guide-special-general-election-us-senate-0711-2.pdf|website=New Jersey Division of Elections|publisher=New Jersey Department of State|access-date=September 8, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170430043425/http://nj.gov/state/elections/2013-results/2013-chron-guide-special-general-election-us-senate-0711-2.pdf|archive-date=April 30, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> The night before his victory, he visited the gravesite of Rabbi [[Menachem M. Schneerson]], offering prayers and lighting a vigil candle in memory of his father.<ref>{{cite web|work=[[The New York Observer]]|author-link=Shmuley Boteach|last=Boteach|first=Shmuley|date=October 18, 2013|url=http://observer.com/2013/10/cory-booker-the-spiritual-senator/|title=Cory Booker the Spiritual Senator|access-date=September 23, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Hecht|first=Shmully|date=June 28, 2014|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/29/opinion/sunday/remembering-rabbi-menachem-mendel-schneerson.html|title= The Power of a Deed|access-date=September 23, 2020}}</ref>

Booker resigned as [[Mayors of Newark, New Jersey|mayor of Newark]] on October 30,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/essex/2013/10/cory_booker_bids_farewell_to_newark_city_hall_flies_to_washington.html|title=See Cory Booker's resignation letter as he bids farewell to Newark City Hall, goes to Washington|first=Eunice|last=Lee|date=October 31, 2013|website=nj.com|access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref> and on October 31 was sworn in as the junior [[U.S. senator]] from New Jersey.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.msnbc.com/hardball/senator-cory-booker|title=Cory Booker takes his superhero act to the Senate|date=October 31, 2013|website=MSNBC|last=Sarlin|first=Benjy|access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref> He is the [[List of African-American United States senators|first African-American]] U.S. senator from New Jersey.<ref name="cnn.com"/><ref name="https"/><ref name="Taylor"/><ref name="auto"/>

==== 2014 ====
{{Main|2014 United States Senate election in New Jersey}}
[[File:Cory Booker Senate.jpg|thumb|upright|Booker in 2014]]
On January 9, 2014, Brian D. Goldberg, a [[West Orange, New Jersey|West Orange]] resident and New Jersey businessman, announced that he would seek the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web | url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/01/nj_senator_doherty_decides_not_to_run_against_booker.html | title=N.J. Senator Doherty decides not to run against Booker|first=Matt|last=Friedman | date=January 17, 2014| publisher=NJ.com | access-date=January 17, 2014}}</ref> On January 27, 2014, [[Freehold Township, New Jersey|Freehold Township]] businessman Richard J. "Rich" Pezzullo announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination. Pezzullo had run for the [[1996 United States Senate election in New Jersey|US Senate]] in 1996 as the [[New Jersey Conservative Party|Conservative Party]] candidate.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.pezzulloforsenate.com/ | title=Rich Pezzullo – Conservative Republican for US Senate | date=January 27, 2014 | access-date=January 27, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140130080524/http://pezzulloforsenate.com/ | archive-date=January 30, 2014 | url-status=dead }}</ref> On February 4, 2014, conservative political consultant [[Jeff Bell (politician)|Jeff Bell]] announced his bid for the nomination. Bell was the Republican Party nominee for U.S. Senate in 1978.<ref>{{cite news | last=Friedman | first=Matt | date=February 4, 2014 | title=Jeff Bell, Republican U.S. Senate candidate from 1978, wants to challenge Booker | url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2014/02/jeff_bell_to_run_for_us_senate.html | newspaper=[[The Star-Ledger]] | access-date=February 4, 2014}}</ref> Ramapo College professor [[Murray Sabrin]], who ran for the Senate in 2000 and 2008, announced his candidacy on February 13.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.politickernj.com/71454/sabrin-says-hes-running-us-senate | title=Sabrin says he's running for U.S. Senate | date=February 13, 2014 | access-date=February 13, 2014 | work=Politicker NJ | first=Max | last=Pizarro}}</ref>

Bell won the Republican primary and received support from the conservative American Principles Fund, which ran a direct-mail operation costing over $80,000, and the National Organization for Marriage, an organization opposing same-sex marriage, which paid for $6,000 of automated calling.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fec.gov/data/IndependentExpenditure.do?format=html&id=ieNational&election_yr=2014&candidateOfficeState=NJ&candOffice=S|title=Independent Expenditures in New Jersey Senate Race at the FEC|date=June 30, 2014|access-date=July 29, 2014|publisher=Federal Election Commission|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729163432/http://www.fec.gov/data/IndependentExpenditure.do?format=html&id=ieNational&election_yr=2014&candidateOfficeState=NJ&candOffice=S|archive-date=July 29, 2014}}</ref> Booker defeated Bell in the general election with 55.8% of the vote to Bell's 42.4%.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/2014/new-jersey-elections |title=New Jersey Election Results |department=Election 2014 |newspaper=The New York Times |agency=Associated Press |access-date=June 15, 2019 }}</ref>

==== 2020 ====
{{Main|2020 United States Senate election in New Jersey}}
In his reelection campaign, Booker faced Republican nominee Rik Mehta, a pharmaceutical executive and attorney.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Balcerzak |first1=Ashley |title=U.S. Senate race: Where Booker and Mehta stand on NJ COVID, criminal justice and health care |url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/10/19/nj-election-2020-us-senate-cory-booker-democrat-rik-mehta-gop-what-to-know/3675891001/ |website=North Jersey Media Group}}</ref> The election was primarily conducted by [[Postal voting in the United States|mail-in ballots]], as mandated by the [[New Jersey Legislature]] [[Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on politics|in response to the COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Gov. Murphy signs bill to make November election mostly mail-only in New Jersey |url=https://6abc.com/new-jersey-mail-in-voting-governor-phil-murphy-cnn/6395000/ |website=6abc Philadelphia |date=August 29, 2020 |access-date=January 31, 2021 |language=en }}</ref> Booker and Mehta participated in a virtual debate sponsored by the [[New Jersey Globe]], in which they sparred over issues including the [[First presidency of Donald Trump|Trump presidency]], [[COVID-19 lockdowns]], the [[Amy Coney Barrett Supreme Court nomination|nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court]], and [[systemic racism]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Debate reveals chasmic splits between Booker, Mehta |url=https://newjerseyglobe.com/fr/debate-reveals-chasmic-splits-between-booker-mehta/ |website=New Jersey Globe |date=October 27, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Hernandez |first1=Joe |title=Trump dominates N.J. Senate debate between Booker, Mehta |url=https://whyy.org/articles/trump-dominates-n-j-senate-debate-between-booker-mehta/ |website=WHYY}}</ref>

In the November 3 general election, Booker defeated Mehta, 57%–41%.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hall |first1=Madison |last2=McLaughlin |first2=Kelly |title=Democrat Cory Booker defeats GOP challenger Rik Mehta in race for US Senate seat in New Jersey |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/new-jersey-senate-election-2020-live-vote-counts-results-2020-10 |website=Business Insider}}</ref>

===Tenure===
[[File:Senator Booker Meets with Judge Garland (26330245741).jpg|thumb|left|Booker with Judge [[Merrick Garland]], 2016]]
In November 2013, Booker co-sponsored and voted for the [[Employment Non-Discrimination Act]].<ref>[https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/s815 "S. 815: Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013"], ''Govtrack'',</ref> In December 2013, he was one of the original cosponsors of [[Bob Menéndez]]'s Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act of 2013, which would toughen [[sanctions against Iran]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/s1881|title=Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act of 2013 (2013; 113th Congress S. 1881) – GovTrack.us|website=GovTrack.us|access-date=December 8, 2015}}</ref> He also voted for the [[National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/113-2013/s284|title=H.R. 3304 (113th): National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014|website=GovTrack.us|access-date=December 8, 2015}}</ref> and the [[Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/113-2013/s281|title=H.J.Res. 59 (113th): Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014|website=GovTrack.us|access-date=December 8, 2015}}</ref> In January 2014, he cosponsored the [[Respect for Marriage Act]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/s1236|title=Respect for Marriage Act (2013; 113th Congress S. 1236) – GovTrack.us|website=GovTrack.us|access-date=December 8, 2015}}</ref> In February 2014, Booker voted against the [[Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013]].<ref>{{cite web|title=H.R. 2642 (113th): Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act of ... -- Senate Vote #21 -- Feb 4, 2014|url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/113-2014/s21|website=GovTrack.us|access-date=January 8, 2017}}</ref> In March, Booker pledged to meet with each of his Republican colleagues in the Senate in order to find common ground, and was spotted having dinner with Senator [[Ted Cruz]] in Washington.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2014/03/cory-booker-ted-cruz-dinner-104845|title=Booker: My dinner with Ted Cruz|work=Politico|last=Kopan|first=Tal|date=March 20, 2014|access-date=April 5, 2017}}</ref>

Leading up to the [[2016 United States presidential election|2016 presidential election]], Booker endorsed [[Hillary Clinton]] for the Democratic nomination. He was considered a potential vice-presidential candidate during the primary and as the general election began, though he said on June 16 that he was not being vetted.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/06/cory-booker-no-vice-president-224438|title=Booker: I'm not being vetted for VP|first=Nick|last=Gass|work=Politico|date=June 16, 2016|access-date=September 23, 2020}}</ref> After the election, in which [[Donald Trump]] defeated Clinton, Booker testified on January 11, 2017, against attorney general nominee [[Jeff Sessions]], the first instance of a sitting senator testifying against another during a cabinet position confirmation hearing.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/11/politics/cory-booker-jeff-sessions/|title=Cory Booker takes stage to rail against Jeff Sessions nomination|date=January 11, 2017|publisher=CNN|last=Kopan|first=Tal|author-link=Tal Kopan|access-date=September 23, 2020}}</ref>

Booker supported fellow New Jersey Senator [[Bob Menendez]] when Menendez faced trial on federal [[corruption]] and [[bribery]] charges. During the trial, Booker was a character witness for Menendez, and praised him effusively.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/booker-graham-and-elias-expected-to-testify-today-in-menendez-corruption-trial/2017/10/26/34d9219c-ba4a-11e7-9e58-e6288544af98_story.html|title='A very honest and trustworthy senator': Graham, Booker testify in Menendez corruption trial|last1=Maimon|first1=Alan|last2=Barrett|first2=Devlin|last3=Kane|first3=Paul|date=October 26, 2017|newspaper=The Washington Post|language=en|access-date=October 3, 2018}}</ref> After the judge declared a mistrial, Booker argued that prosecutors ought not to try Menendez again.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://observer.com/2017/11/booker-new-jerseyans-need-bob-in-washington/|title=Booker: 'New Jerseyans Need Bob in Washington'|date=November 17, 2017|work=Observer|last=Rizzo|first=Salvador|access-date=October 3, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> When Menendez ran for reelection, Booker said he was "so grateful for Bob Menendez and that I get to work with him and stand beside him".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2018/02/menendez_invokes_the_bible_days_after_corruption_charges_were_dropped.html|title=Menendez invokes the Bible days after corruption charges were dropped|last=Johnson|first=Brent|work=NJ.com|date=February 5, 2018|access-date=October 3, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> He downplayed the corruption allegations, saying "to try to continue to try to throw this kind of mud at him, it's not going to stick. It didn't stick when the government tried to do it and it should not stick now."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/03/28/corruption-trial-behind-him-sen-bob-menendez-launches-reelection-bid/466473002/|title=Corruption trial behind him, Sen. Bob Menendez announces re-election bid in New Jersey|work=USA Today|last=Pugliese|first=Nicholas|date=March 28, 2018|access-date=October 3, 2018|language=en}}</ref> He became New Jersey's senior senator after Menendez resigned on August 20, 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Pager |first1=Tyler |last2=Cheeseman |first2=Abbie |last3=Markus |first3=Nicole |last4=Goodwin |first4=Liz |date=July 23, 2024 |title=Bob Menendez to resign Senate seat after federal bribery conviction |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/07/23/senator-bob-menendez-resigns-senate/ |access-date=July 23, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref>

In 2018, ''[[Politico]]'' named Booker part of the "Hell-No Caucus", along with Senators [[Kamala Harris]], [[Kirsten Gillibrand]], [[Elizabeth Warren]], and [[Bernie Sanders]], after he voted "overwhelmingly to thwart his [Trump's] nominees for administration jobs" (including [[Rex Tillerson]], [[Betsy DeVos]], and [[Mike Pompeo]]). The senators were all considered potential [[2020 United States presidential election|2020 presidential]] contenders,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Schor|first1=Elana|last2=Lin|first2=Jeremy C.F.|title=The Hell-No Caucus: How five 2020 contenders voted on Trump's nominees|url=https://www.politico.com/interactives/2018/how-five-2020-contenders-voted-on-trumps-nominees/|website=Politico|date=April 6, 2018|access-date=April 6, 2018}}</ref> and all five later launched 2020 presidential campaigns, losing in the primary to [[Joe Biden]], who then chose Harris as his running mate.
[[File:United States Congressional Delegation visit to Israel on October 22, 2023 - 93.jpg|thumb|Booker with Israeli defense minister [[Yoav Galant]] in Israel, October 22, 2023]]
In April 2018, after the FBI raided the hotel room and offices of Trump's personal attorney, [[Michael Cohen (lawyer)|Michael Cohen]], Booker, [[Chris Coons]], [[Lindsey Graham]], and [[Thom Tillis]] introduced new legislation to "limit President Trump's ability to fire special counsel [[Robert Mueller]]." Termed the [[Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act]], the legislation would allow any special counsel, in this case Mueller, to receive an "expedited judicial review" in the 10 days following being dismissed to determine if said dismissal was suitable. If not, the special counsel would be reinstated. At the same time, according to ''[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]'', the bill would "codify regulations" that a special counsel could be fired by only a senior Justice Department official, while having to provide reasons in writing.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Carney|first1=Jordain|title=Senators to introduce new bipartisan bill to protect Mueller|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/382615-senators-to-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-protect-mueller/|website=The Hill|date=April 11, 2018|access-date=April 11, 2018}}</ref>

On September 5, 2018, during the Senate Judiciary Committee's [[Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court nomination|confirmation hearings]] for [[Brett Kavanaugh]] (nominated by Trump to replace retiring [[Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States|Associate Justice]] [[Anthony Kennedy]] on the [[Supreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court]]), Booker questioned Kavanaugh on a series of emails marked "committee confidential" dating to Kavanaugh's time in the office of the [[White House Counsel]] during [[George W. Bush]]'s presidency. The emails, which Booker's office released to the public the next day, show Kavanaugh and others in the Counsel's office discussing [[racial profiling]] as a means to combat terrorism, particularly after [[September 11 attacks|9/11]]. Booker said that he was violating Senate rules in releasing the documents, with the penalty including possible [[expulsion from the United States Congress|expulsion]] from the Senate; he nonetheless defended his decision, referring to the process of producing documents for the hearing as a "sham" and challenging those who warned him about the consequences to "bring it on".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/09/06/brett-kavanaugh-hearing-cory-booker-release-emails/1211591002/|title=Cory Booker releases confidential 'racial profiling' Kavanaugh emails|work=USA Today|last=Jackson|first=Herb|date=September 6, 2018|access-date=September 6, 2018|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/supreme-court-brett-kavanaugh-confirmation-hearing/|title=Dispute over releasing documents dominates Kavanaugh hearing|first1=Lisa|last1=Mascaro|first2=Mark|last2=Sherman|work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]|date=September 6, 2018|access-date=September 6, 2018|language=en}}</ref> Booker also described the release as "probably the closest I'll ever have in my life to an 'I am Spartacus' moment", referring to a line in the 1960 film ''[[Spartacus (film)|Spartacus]]''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.sfgate.com/technology/businessinsider/article/Bring-it-Cory-Booker-says-he-s-releasing-a-13209750.php |title=Cory Booker posted Brett Kavanaugh's documents online under severe threat from Republicans. But now, officials say they were already cleared for release. |newspaper=Business Insider |via=San Francisco Chronicle |date=September 6, 2018 |first=Joe |last=Perticone |access-date=November 7, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/09/07/brett-kavanaugh-most-dramatic-moments-supreme-court-confirmation-hearings/1221803002/ |title=Brett Kavanaugh: Most dramatic moments from Supreme Court confirmation hearings |newspaper=USA Today |first=Erin |last=Kelly |date=September 7, 2018 |access-date=November 7, 2018}}</ref> Committee chairman [[Chuck Grassley]] said the documents had already been cleared for public release the night before, and that Booker was not violating any rules, leading some Republicans to accuse Booker of engaging in "theatrics" and "histrionics".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/06/politics/kavanaugh-hearing-document-booker-testimony/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250211181440/https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/06/politics/kavanaugh-hearing-document-booker-testimony/index.html|url-status=live|archive-date=February 11, 2025|title=Booker releases Kavanaugh documents but GOP insists they were already cleared|work=CNN|last=Collinson|first=Stephen|date=September 7, 2018|access-date=September 23, 2020}}</ref> Supreme Court Justice [[Clarence Thomas]] mocked Booker in comments the following week, saying, "Honorable—if we could use that word about more people who are in public life, people who actually ask the questions at confirmation hearings, instead of 'Spartacus.{{' "}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/12/politics/clarence-thomas-corey-booker-supreme-court/index.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003104408/https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/12/politics/clarence-thomas-corey-booker-supreme-court/index.html|archive-date=October 3, 2023|title=Clarence Thomas takes jab at Cory Booker over 'Spartacus' comment|work=[[CNN]]|last=Sullivan|first=Kate|date=September 13, 2018|access-date=September 23, 2020}}</ref> Booker was also one of several Democratic lawmakers and critics of President Trump who [[October 2018 United States mail bombing attempts|was targeted with a mailed pipe bomb]].<ref name="pipe bomb">{{Cite news|url=https://apnews.com/46514c3eb6fb474c9ac1df2c24b0acf5|title=More suspicious packages found, these to Booker, Clapper|last1=Balsamo|first1=Michael|date=October 26, 2018|work=[[The Associated Press]]|access-date=October 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026081736/https://apnews.com/46514c3eb6fb474c9ac1df2c24b0acf5|archive-date=October 26, 2018|url-status=live|last2=Tucker|first2=Eric|last3=Long|first3=Colleen}}</ref>

Booker played a leading role in the push to pass the [[First Step Act]], a bipartisan criminal justice reform bill.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.philly.com/politics/cory-booker-president-campaign-announced-20190201.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130170502/http://www.philly.com/politics/cory-booker-president-campaign-announced-20190201.html|archive-date=November 30, 2024|url-access=subscription|title=N.J. Senator Cory Booker launches 2020 campaign for president|last=Tamari|first=Jonathan|work=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]|date=February 1, 2019|language=en-US|access-date=February 1, 2019}}</ref> In 2018, he introduced the [[Marijuana Justice Act]], which would [[Legalization of non-medical cannabis in the United States|legalize cannabis in the United States]] on the federal level, defund some law enforcement in jurisdictions that have shown racial bias in marijuana arrests, and increase funding to communities affected by the [[war on drugs]].<ref>{{cite journal |title=Recent Proposed Legislation: Senator Cory Booker Introduces Act to Repair the Harms Exacted by Marijuana Prohibition |journal=[[Harvard Law Review]] |date=2018 |volume=131 |issue=January |pages=926–933 |url=https://harvardlawreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/926-933_Online.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240417094303/https://harvardlawreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/926-933_Online.pdf |archive-date=April 17, 2024 |access-date=May 29, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{USBill|115|S|1689}}, 115th Cong. (2017); {{USBill|116|S|597}}, 116th Cong. (2019).</ref>

Booker announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for [[2020 United States presidential election|president in the 2020 election]] on February 1, 2019.<ref>{{cite news | title=Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey joins the 2020 presidential race | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/sen-cory-booker-of-new-jersey-joins-the-2020-presidential-race/2019/01/31/b30ebe22-0027-11e9-862a-b6a6f3ce8199_story.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250402011002/https://www.washingtonpost.com/powerpost/sen-cory-booker-of-new-jersey-joins-the-2020-presidential-race/2019/01/31/b30ebe22-0027-11e9-862a-b6a6f3ce8199_story.html |archive-date=April 2, 2025 |location=[[Newark, New Jersey|Newark]] | newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] | date=February 1, 2019 | access-date=February 1, 2019 | first1=Chelsea | last1=Janes | first2=David | last2=Weigel |author-link2=David Weigel}}</ref>
[[File:P20210907AS-0486 (51706777813).jpg|thumb|Booker meeting with President Biden]]
Booker was participating in the certification of the [[2021 United States Electoral College vote count]] on January 6, 2021, when Trump supporters [[2021 storming of the United States Capitol|stormed the U.S. Capitol]]. Minutes after rioters breached the Capitol, Booker and his fellow senators were evacuated from the chambers.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Segers |first1=Grace |title=Inside the Senate chamber as lawmakers evacuated and rioters stormed the Capitol |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-capitol-riot-inside-senate-chamber/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241113021121/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-capitol-riot-inside-senate-chamber/ |archive-date=November 13, 2024 |access-date=January 15, 2021 |work=[[CBS News]] |date=January 7, 2021}}</ref> Booker blamed Trump for inciting the attack.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Salant |first1=Jonathan D. |title=Booker slams Trump for 'fanning the flames of conspiracy' as he fights GOP efforts to overturn election |url=https://www.nj.com/politics/2021/01/booker-slams-trump-for-fanning-the-flames-of-conspiracy-as-he-fights-gop-efforts-to-overturn-election.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250317105658/https://www.nj.com/politics/2021/01/booker-slams-trump-for-fanning-the-flames-of-conspiracy-as-he-fights-gop-efforts-to-overturn-election.html |archive-date=March 17, 2025 |access-date=January 15, 2021 |work=NJ.com |date=January 7, 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Itkowitz |first1=Colby |last2=Firozi |first2=Paulina |title=Democrats, Republicans blame Trump for inciting 'coup' as mob storms Capitol |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/01/06/democrats-republicans-reaction-trump/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240629125252/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/01/06/democrats-republicans-reaction-trump/ |archive-date=June 29, 2024 |access-date=January 15, 2021 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=January 6, 2021}}</ref> After the attack, Booker called for the invocation of the [[Twenty-fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution]] while writing on [[Twitter]]: "Trump incited a violent insurrection against our own government. Congress should be prepared to impeach & remove the President if the Vice President and Cabinet fail to adhere to their constitutional duty. We must protect our national security."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Salant |first1=Jonathan D. |title=Trump should resign or be ousted, N.J. Democrats demand following violent protest at Capitol |url=https://www.nj.com/politics/2021/01/trump-should-resign-or-be-ousted-nj-democrats-demand-following-violent-protest-at-capitol.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241215234806/https://www.nj.com/politics/2021/01/trump-should-resign-or-be-ousted-nj-democrats-demand-following-violent-protest-at-capitol.html |archive-date=December 15, 2024 |access-date=January 15, 2021 |work=[[NJ.com]] |date=January 8, 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Cory Booker's 25-hour speech.webm|thumb|right|Booker delivers a 25-hour speech in the Senate in protest of the [[Second presidency of Donald Trump|second Trump administration]]]]

On March 31, 2025, Booker began [[Cory Booker's marathon speech|a marathon speech]], vowing to speak "for as long as I am physically able". Before taking the stand at 7 p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|EDT]], he posted a video explaining his rationale for the speech, saying that he had heard his constituents and those in other states asking Congress to "do things that recognize the ... crisis of the moment" regarding changes made by the [[Second presidency of Donald Trump|Trump administration]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Treisman |first=Rachel |date=April 1, 2025 |title=Cory Booker's anti-Trump speech on the Senate floor nears record 24-hour mark |url=https://www.npr.org/2025/04/01/nx-s1-5347318/cory-booker-senate-speech |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250401184524/https://www.npr.org/2025/04/01/nx-s1-5347318/cory-booker-senate-speech |archive-date=April 1, 2025 |access-date=April 1, 2025 |work=[[NPR]] |language=en}}</ref> Booker gave the longest speech in U.S. Senate history, surpassing [[Strom Thurmond]]'s 24-hour-and-18 minute-long [[Strom Thurmond filibuster of the Civil Rights Act of 1957|filibuster of]] the [[Civil Rights Act of 1957]]. He said: "To hate him is wrong, and maybe my ego got too caught up in if I stood here maybe, maybe—just maybe—I could break this record of the man who tried to stop the rights upon which I stand. ... I'm not here, though, because of his speech. I'm here despite his speech. I'm here because as powerful as he was, the people were more powerful." Booker's address was 25 hours and five minutes long.<ref>{{cite web|last=Weaver|first=Al|title=Booker sets record for longest Senate speech in history|work=The Hill|date=April 1, 2025|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5225720-booker-speech-trump-protest/|access-date=April 2, 2025}}</ref>

In May 2025, Booker was the only Democrat to vote to confirm [[Charles Kushner]] as [[United States Ambassador to France]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/19/charles-kushner-confirmed-ambassador-france-00358104|title=Charles Kushner confirmed as ambassador to France|first=Gregory|last=Svirnovskiy|date=May 19, 2025|website=POLITICO}}</ref> According to the ''[[New Jersey Globe]]'', "Booker and Kushner have a relationship that goes back decades, dating to when Kushner provided financial support for Booker's first unsuccessful run for mayor in 2002."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://newjerseyglobe.com/congress/senate-confirms-charles-kushner-to-ambassadorship-with-booker-voting-yes/|title=Senate confirms Charles Kushner to ambassadorship, with Booker voting yes|first=Joey|last=Fox|date=May 20, 2025|website=[[New Jersey Globe]]}}</ref>

=== 119th United States Congress Committee assignments ===
Source:<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Senate: Committee Assignments of the 119th Congress |url=https://www.senate.gov/general/committee_assignments/assignments.htm#BarrassoWY |access-date=February 7, 2025 |website=www.senate.gov}}</ref>
* [[United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry|Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry]]
* [[United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations|Committee on Foreign Relations]]
* [[United States Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship|Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship]]
* [[United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary|Committee on the Judiciary]]

===Caucus memberships===
* [[Congressional Black Caucus]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Membership|url=https://cbc.house.gov/membership/|publisher=Congressional Black Caucus|access-date=March 7, 2018}}</ref>
* [[Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Members|url=http://www.ng911institute.org/about-the-congressional-nextgen-9-1-1-caucus|publisher=Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus|access-date=June 14, 2018|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142643/http://www.ng911institute.org/about-the-congressional-nextgen-9-1-1-caucus|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== 2020 presidential campaign ==
{{Main|Cory Booker 2020 presidential campaign}}
[[File:Cory Booker 2020 Logo.png|thumb|upright=1|Logo for presidential campaign]]
[[File:Cory Booker (48021601638).jpg|right|thumb|Booker campaigning for president in San Francisco, California]]
On February 1, 2019, Booker announced [[Cory Booker 2020 presidential campaign|his campaign]] for the [[2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries|Democratic nomination]] for [[President of the United States]] in the [[2020 United States presidential election|2020 presidential election]]. Before his announcement, it was widely speculated that he would run for president but he expressed uncertainty about it.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/340632-booker-i-dont-know-if-ill-run-in-2020/|title=Booker: I don't know if I'll run in 2020|last=Bowden|first=John|date=July 4, 2017|website=The Hill|language=en|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref> Within a month after Booker announced his candidacy, [[Governor of New Jersey|Governor]] [[Phil Murphy]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://newjerseyglobe.com/fr/murphy-endorses-booker-presidential-bid/|title=Murphy endorses Booker presidential bid|date=February 1, 2019|website=New Jersey Globe|last=Wildstein|first=David|author-link=David Wildstein|language=en-US|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref> [[Bob Menendez]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/428077-booker-snags-first-senate-endorsement/|title=Booker snags first Senate endorsement|last=Carney|first=Jordain|date=February 1, 2019|website=The Hill|language=en|access-date=February 4, 2019}}</ref> and every Democratic member of the House of Representatives from New Jersey endorsed him.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/430915-booker-wins-endorsement-of-every-new-jersey-democrat-member-of-congress/|title=Booker wins 2020 endorsement of every New Jersey Democrat in Congress|last=Axelrod|first=Tal|date=February 21, 2019|website=The Hill|language=en|access-date=April 13, 2019}}</ref> Booker held a campaign kickoff rally in Newark on April 13.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/long-home-cory-booker-returns-newark-2020-campaign/story?id=62345332|title=The long way home again: Cory Booker returns to Newark for his 2020 campaign|last1=Karson|first1=Kendall|last2=Gomez|first2=Justin|date=April 13, 2019|website=ABC News|language=en|access-date=April 13, 2019}}</ref> After qualifying for the first five Democratic Party presidential debates, he failed to meet the polling thresholds to participate in the sixth debate in December 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/14/us/politics/democrats-2020-debates.html|title=Cory Booker Leads the Charge to Change Debate Rules That Excluded Him|last=Epstein|first=Reid J.|date=December 14, 2019|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 10, 2020|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> On January 13, 2020, Booker announced that he was suspending his campaign.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/01/13/politics/cory-booker-ends-presidential-race/index.html |title=Cory Booker ends 2020 presidential campaign |publisher=CNN |first=Rebecca |last=Buck |date=January 13, 2020 |access-date=January 13, 2020 }}</ref> In March 2020, Booker endorsed former vice president [[Joe Biden]] for president.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-03-09/booker-endorses-biden-says-hell-restore-honor-to-office|title=Booker endorses Biden, says he'll 'restore honor' to office|date=March 9, 2020|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|access-date=March 9, 2020}}</ref>

== Political positions ==
{{Main|Political positions of Cory Booker}}
Booker has been called a [[Modern liberalism in the United States|liberal]] and [[Progressivism in the United States|progressive]] Democrat.<ref>{{cite web|last=Silow-Carroll|first=Andrew|url=http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/.premium-1.553116|title=Senator Cory Booker: A liberal African-American Baptist who loves talking Torah|work=[[Haaretz]]|date=October 17, 2013|access-date=September 23, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Beinart|first=Peter|date=November 27, 2019|title=Cory Booker Blew It|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/11/how-cory-booker-blew-it/602716/|access-date=June 8, 2020|work=[[The Atlantic]]|author-link=Peter Beinart|language=en-US}}</ref> As a senator, he has a liberal voting record.<ref name=":0"/><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://time.com/5518158/cory-booker-campaign-launch/|title='Together, America, We Will Rise.' Cory Booker Launches 2020 Campaign|magazine=Time|language=en|last=Elliott|first=Philip|date=February 1, 2019|access-date=February 1, 2019}}</ref> In a July 2013 ''[[Salon (website)|Salon]]'' interview, Booker said, "there's nothing in that realm of progressive politics where you won't find me."<ref>{{cite web|last=Taylor|first=Matt|url=http://www.salon.com/2013/07/09/do_liberals_know_cory_booker/|title=Cory Booker doubles down|work=Salon|date=July 9, 2013|access-date=September 23, 2020}}</ref> In a September 2013 interview with ''[[The Grio]]'', when asked whether he considered himself a progressive, he said he was a [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] and an [[Americans|American]].<ref name="thegrio">{{cite web|last=Bacon|first=Perry Jr.|url=http://thegrio.com/2013/10/16/what-cory-booker-will-do-in-the-senate/|title=What Cory Booker will do in the Senate|website=The Grio|date=October 16, 2013|access-date=September 23, 2020}}</ref> According to the [[Humane Society of the United States|Humane Society]], Booker has had the most pro-animal welfare voting record in the Senate year after year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hslf.org/our-work/humane-scorecard.html|title=HSLF: Humane Scorecard|website=Humane Society Legislative Fund}}</ref>

[[File:Schumer Booker Wyden Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act.jpg|thumb|right|Booker along with Senators Schumer and Wyden unveil the [[Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act]] in May 2024]]
Booker supports long-term deficit reduction efforts to ensure economic prosperity, [[cap and trade]] taxation to combat [[climate change]], and increased funding for education.<ref>{{cite web|last=Richard|first=Christine|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-28/ackman-money-for-booker-brings-wall-street-to-newark-with-240-million-aid.html|title=Ackman Cash for Booker Brings $240 Million Aid From Wall Street|work=Bloomberg|date=October 28, 2010|access-date=September 23, 2020}}</ref> He has spoken in favor of creating a federal [[job guarantee]] and [[baby bonds]] (low-risk savings accounts that minors get access to at age 18).<ref name=":0"/> In the Senate, he has emphasized issues of racial and social justice.<ref name=":0"/> He played a leading role in the push to pass the [[First Step Act]], a bipartisan criminal justice reform bill.<ref name=":0"/> He supports ending the [[war on drugs]] and the [[Legalization of non-medical cannabis in the United States|legalization of cannabis]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Mollie|last=Reilly|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/18/cory-booker-drug-war_n_3777132.html|title=Cory Booker Condemns Drug War As 'Tremendous Failure'|work=The Huffington Post|date=August 18, 2013|access-date=September 23, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Pecorin |first1=Allison |title=Senate Democrats unveil long-awaited marijuana legalization bill |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/senate-democrats-unveil-long-awaited-marijuana-legalization-bill/story?id=87197357 |access-date=May 3, 2024 |work=ABC News |date=July 21, 2022}}</ref> Booker supports [[abortion rights]] and [[affirmative action]].<ref name="thegrio" /><ref>{{cite web|last=Friedman|first=Matt|url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/10/where_cory_booker_and_steve_lonegan_stand_on_the_issues.html|title=Where Cory Booker and Steve Lonegan stand on the issues|website=NJ.com|date=October 16, 2013|access-date=September 23, 2020}}</ref><ref>[http://www.corybooker.com/vision/safeguarding-civil-rights-and-civil-liberties "Safeguarding Civil Rights and Civil Liberties"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321082027/http://www.corybooker.com/vision/safeguarding-civil-rights-and-civil-liberties|date=March 21, 2014}}, corybooker.com</ref> He supports LGBTQ+ rights, voting for the [[Respect for Marriage Act]] in 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mourtoupalas and Blanco |date=November 29, 2022 |title=Here's which senators voted for or against the Respect for Marriage Act |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/interactive/2022/senator-vote-count-respect-for-marriage-act/}}</ref> Booker also supports a single-payer health care plan: in September 2017, he joined [[Bernie Sanders]] and 14 other co-sponsors in submitting a single-payer health care plan to Congress called the "Medicare for All" bill.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2017/09/14/550768280/heres-whats-in-bernie-sanders-medicare-for-all-bill|title=Here's What's In Bernie Sanders' 'Medicare For All' Bill|last1=Kurtzleben|first1=Danielle|website=NPR|date=September 14, 2017|access-date=September 17, 2017}}</ref>

After the [[2017 Shayrat missile strike|US strike on Syria in April 2017]], Booker criticized military action "without a clear plan" or authorization from Congress.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2017/04/07/syria-us-missile-strike-locals-officials-react/|title=Local Officials React To US Missile Strike On Syria|date=April 7, 2017|publisher=CBS New York|access-date=April 13, 2017}}</ref> 

Booker supports a [[two-state solution]] to the [[Israeli–Palestinian conflict]]. He has said that [[Iran]] is a direct threat to U.S. and Israeli security and feels all options should be on the table for dealing with the conflict,<ref name="Keeping America Secure">[http://www.corybooker.com/vision/keeping-america-secure "Keeping America Secure"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321082052/http://www.corybooker.com/vision/keeping-america-secure|date=March 21, 2014}}, corybooker.com</ref> but his decision to back the [[Iran nuclear deal framework]]<ref name="Washington Post on Iran deal">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/09/04/chris-christie-cory-booker-should-be-ashamed-to-back-iran-deal/|title=Chris Christie: Cory Booker should be ashamed to back Iran deal|last=Weigel|first=David|date=September 4, 2015|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=September 8, 2015}}</ref> damaged his long-term relationship with some Jewish voters and supporters.<ref name="Jewish controversy over iran stance">{{cite news|url=http://observer.com/2015/09/exclusive-in-damage-control-mode-cory-booker-invites-jews-to-emergency-summit/|title=EXCLUSIVE: In Damage Control Mode, Cory Booker Invites Jews to Emergency Summit|author=Kurson, Ken|date=September 7, 2015|work=Observer|access-date=September 8, 2015}}</ref> In an attempt to reduce the damage, he initiated an emergency summit for Jewish leaders, which some of his longstanding supporters did not attend.<ref name="Washington Post on Iran deal" /><ref name="Jewish controversy over iran stance" /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://politickernj.com/2015/09/cory-booker-convenes-summit-for-jews-upset-over-iran-vote/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908171032/http://politickernj.com/2015/09/cory-booker-convenes-summit-for-jews-upset-over-iran-vote/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 8, 2015|title=Cory Booker Convenes 'Summit' for Jews Upset Over Iran Vote|date=September 8, 2015|work=politickernj|access-date=September 8, 2015}}</ref> Booker was the sole Democratic co-sponsor of the [[Israel Anti-Boycott Act]], receiving criticism from free  speech advocates.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://jewishinsider.com/2018/11/cory-booker-to-support-israel-anti-boycott-act/|title=Cory Booker to support Israel Anti-Boycott Act|date=November 2, 2018|work=Jewish Insider|access-date=April 2, 2025}}</ref> From 2013 to 2024, he declared receiving $871,563 in funding from pro-Israel donors.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sen. Cory Booker New Jersey - Open Secrets |url=https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/cory-booker/industries?cid=N00035267&cycle=CAREER |website=[[Open Secrets]]|date=April 2, 2025 }}</ref>

Despite his reputation as a progressive, progressives have criticized Booker on occasion.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Friedman |first1=Matt |title=Booker's problem with New Jersey progressives |url=https://www.politico.com/states/new-jersey/story/2019/06/25/bookers-problem-with-new-jersey-progressives-1072617 |website=Politico|date=June 25, 2019 }}</ref> In 2017, he voted against a proposal to lower prescription drug prices, which led to criticism that he was too dependent on corporate support.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Stein |first1=Jeff |title=How Cory Booker went from progressive hero to traitor in under 2 days |url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/1/14/14262732/cory-booker-senate-democrats |website=Vox|date=January 14, 2017 }}</ref> In 2021, ''[[The American Prospect]]'' criticized Booker and [[Bob Menendez]] for recommending Christine O'Hearne to a federal judgeship after she had spent much of her career defending employers against discrimination and sexual harassment claims, and had defended a school against allegations that its swim coach had sexually abused a girl from ages 13 to 19.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sammon |first1=Alexander |title=Biden's Jekyll-and-Hyde Judicial Nominations |url=https://prospect.org/justice/bidens-jekyll-and-hyde-judicial-nominations/ |website=The American Prospect |date=June 1, 2021 |access-date=December 13, 2021}}</ref>

== Other activities ==
=== Obama association ===
[[File:Booker1.jpg|thumb|Booker campaigning in Newark for [[Barack Obama 2008 presidential campaign|Barack Obama]] in 2007]]

In 2009, after [[Barack Obama]] became [[President of the United States]], Booker was offered the leadership of the new [[White House Office of Urban Affairs]]. He turned the offer down, citing a commitment to Newark.<ref name="Time2009_07" />

[[File:Tammy Duckworth, Al Franken, and Cory Booker.jpg|thumb|[[Tammy Duckworth]] (D-IL), [[Al Franken]] (D-MN), and Cory Booker 
 (D-NJ)]]

Booker generated controversy on May 12, 2012, when he appeared on ''[[Meet the Press]]'' as a surrogate for Obama's reelection campaign and made remarks critical of that campaign.<ref name="NYT">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/21/us/politics/cory-a-booker-criticizes-obamas-bain-ad.html |title=Surrogate for Obama Denounces Anti-Romney Ad |first=Raymond |last=Hernandez |date=May 20, 2012|work=The New York Times|access-date=May 23, 2012}}</ref> Booker said that the attacks on Republican presidential candidate [[Mitt Romney]]'s record at [[Bain Capital]] were "nauseating to me on both sides. It's nauseating to the American public. Enough is enough. Stop attacking [[private equity]]. Stop attacking [[Jeremiah Wright controversy|Jeremiah Wright]]."<ref name=NYT /> The Romney campaign used the comments against Obama.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cory-bookers-criticisms-complicate-obama-teams-anti-bain-message/ |title=Cory Booker's criticisms complicate Obama team's anti-Bain message|first=Stephanie|last=Condon|date=May 21, 2012 |publisher=[[CBS News]]|access-date=May 23, 2012}}</ref> Booker made follow-up comments clarifying that he believed Obama's attacks on Romney's record at Bain were legitimate but did not retract his point about attacking private equity in general.<ref>{{cite web |first=Steve|last=Kornacki|url=http://www.salon.com/2012/05/22/booker%E2%80%99s_maddeningly_slippery_interview/|title=Booker's maddeningly slippery interview|website=[[Salon (website)|Salon]]|date=May 22, 2012|access-date=September 3, 2012}}</ref> Two weeks later, Booker's communications director Anne Torres tendered her resignation, although she maintained it was unrelated to ''Meet the Press''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/05/newark_communications_director.html |title=Newark City Hall Communications Director Resigns in Wake of Booker's ''Meet the Press'' Appearance|first=David|last=Giambusso|date=May 29, 2012|website=[[The Star-Ledger]]|publisher=[[New Jersey On-Line]]|access-date=June 1, 2012}}</ref>

=== Affiliations and honors ===
Booker sits on the board of advisers of the [[political action committee]] [[Democrats for Education Reform]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dfer.org/about/|title=Democrats for Education Reform – About Us|access-date=July 12, 2010}}</ref> He is a member of the [[board of trustees]] at [[Teachers College, Columbia University]] and was formerly a member of the executive committee at [[Yale Law School]] and the board of trustees at [[Stanford University]].

In 2010, Booker received the U.S. Senator John Heinz Award for Greatest Public Service by an Elected or Appointed Official, an award given out annually by the [[Jefferson Awards for Public Service|Jefferson Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jeffersonawards.org/pastwinners/national|title=Jefferson Awards National Winners|website=[[Jefferson Awards for Public Service]]|access-date=July 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124043935/http://jeffersonawards.org/pastwinners/national|archive-date=November 24, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:Cory Booker and Michael Bennet 01.jpg|thumb|Cory Booker and [[Michael Bennet]] (D-CO)]]
[[File:Cory Booker and Dan Sullivan.jpg|thumb|Cory Booker and [[Dan Sullivan (U.S. senator)|Dan Sullivan]] (R-AK)]]
In May 2009, Booker received an [[Honorary degree|honorary]] [[Doctor of Humane Letters|doctor of humane letters]] degree from the Newark-based [[New Jersey Institute of Technology]] for "his outstanding career in public service as the Mayor of Newark."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://commencement.njit.edu/2009/cory-booker.php |title=2009 Commencement Honoree: Mayor Cory A. Booker |publisher=[[New Jersey Institute of Technology]] |access-date=April 6, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319001825/http://commencement.njit.edu/2009/cory-booker.php |archive-date=March 19, 2012 }}</ref> In May 2009, he received an honorary doctorate from [[Brandeis University]] and was a [[commencement speaker]] that year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brandeis.edu/now/2009/may/bookercommencement.html |title=Cory Booker urges graduates to use their love to change the world |publisher=BrandeisNOW |date=May 17, 2009 |access-date=April 6, 2012}}</ref> Booker received another honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree in December 2010 from [[Yeshiva University]] for "his bold vision for Newark and setting a national standard for urban transformation."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.yu.edu/news/2010/11/08/86th-annual-hanukkah-dinner-and-convocation/#more-1043|title='Newark Mayor Cory Booker will be the keynote speaker at Yeshiva University's Hanukkah Dinner and Convocation on Dec. 12'|publisher=[[Yeshiva University]]|date=November 8, 2010|access-date=April 6, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305164003/http://blogs.yu.edu/news/2010/11/08/86th-annual-hanukkah-dinner-and-convocation/#more-1043|archive-date=March 5, 2012}}</ref> In June 2011, Booker received an honorary [[Doctor of Laws|doctor of laws]] degree for the urban transformation of Newark and served as that year's commencement speaker at [[Williams College]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vA2dTrqxnk| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/4vA2dTrqxnk| archive-date=October 30, 2021|title=Cory Booker Williams College Commencement 2011|via=[[YouTube]]|date=June 6, 2011|access-date=April 6, 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In May 2012, Booker received an honorary doctor of laws degree from [[Bard College]] and gave the commencement speech.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://freepress.bard.edu/wp/?p=1409|title=Cory Booker Bard College Degree and Commencement|publisher=[[Bard College]]|access-date=July 20, 2012|archive-date=December 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209133514/http://freepress.bard.edu/wp/?p=1409|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2010, he delivered the commencement addresses at [[Pitzer College]] on May 15; at [[Columbia University]]'s [[Teachers College, Columbia University|Teachers College]] on May 17; and at [[Suffolk University Law School]] on May 23. Booker gave the commencement address to [[New York Law School]] graduates on May 13, 2011, at Avery Fisher Hall (now [[David Geffen Hall]]) at [[Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts|Lincoln Center]]. He gave the commencement address at the University of Rhode Island in May 2011; he also received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/23/cory-booker-gives-speech-_n_865420.html | title=Cory Booker Gives Speech at URI Graduation |work=The Huffington Post|date=May 23, 2011| access-date=July 23, 2011}}</ref> He delivered a commencement address to [[Stanford University]] graduates on June 17, 2012, at Stanford Stadium.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stanforddaily.com/2012/06/17/cory-booker-delivers-2012-commencement-address/|title=Cory Booker delivers 2012 commencement address |date=June 17, 2012 |publisher=The Stanford Daily| access-date=August 5, 2012}}</ref> He also received an honorary degree at [[Fairleigh Dickinson University|Fairleigh Dickinson]]'s 69th commencement ceremony in May 2012.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fairleigh Dickinson University Holds 69th Commencement on May 15|url=http://inside.fdu.edu/prpt/commencement_2012.html|website=Fairleigh Dickinson University|access-date=August 17, 2012|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304000353/http://inside.fdu.edu/prpt/commencement_2012.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In May 2013, Booker gave the commencement address at [[Washington University in St. Louis]] and received an honorary doctorate of law.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/25465.aspx|title='Be first class,' focus on small acts of kindness, Newark Mayor Cory Booker tells graduates|last=Niemeyer|first=Kelly Wiese|website=WUSTL Newsroom|date=May 17, 2013|access-date=September 23, 2020}}</ref>

On May 16, 2014, Booker gave the commencement speech at [[Ramapo College of New Jersey]] at the IZOD Center.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/education/2014/05/cory_booker_gives_advice_to_students_at_ramapo_college_commencement.html|title=Cory Booker gives advice to students at Ramapo College commencemen|first=Kelly|last=Heyboer|website=[[The Star-Ledger]]|date=May 16, 2014|access-date=September 23, 2020}}</ref>

During the [[2016 United States presidential election|2016 presidential election]], when Clinton had an illness described as pneumonia, [[Donna Brazile]], the then-DNC interim chair considered that her ideal replacement ticket would consist of Biden and Booker. But the possibility of a divisive reaction and the possibility of "allowing Trump to capture votes in confusion" caused her to "not entertain any more thoughts of replacing Hillary."<ref>{{Cite book|title=Hacks : the inside story of the break-ins and breakdowns that put Donald Trump in the White House|last=Brazile|first=Donna|isbn=978-0-316-47851-9|edition=First|location=New York, NY|publisher=Hachette Books|pages=116|oclc=1007319949|date=November 7, 2017}}</ref>

=== Films ===
Filmmaker [[Marshall Curry]] chronicled Booker's 2002 mayoral campaign in the documentary ''[[Street Fight (film)|Street Fight]]''. The film was nominated in 2005 for the [[Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.macfound.org/press/from-field/street-fight-nominated-academy-award-best-documentary-feature/|title=''Street Fight'' Nominated for Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature|website=[[MacArthur Foundation]]|date=March 6, 2006|access-date=September 23, 2020}}</ref>

Since 2009, Booker has starred in the documentary series ''[[Brick City (TV series)|Brick City]]''. The series focuses on Booker's efforts to improve Newark by reducing crime and bring about economic renewal. ''Brick City'' won a [[Peabody Award]] in 2009 and was nominated for a [[Primetime Emmy]] in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.buffalorising.com/2011/01/from-newark-with-love-brick-city.html |title=From Newark with Love: "Brick City" |first=Greg |last=Conley |website=[[Buffalo Rising]] |date=January 8, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019052950/http://www.buffalorising.com/2011/01/from-newark-with-love-brick-city.html |archive-date=October 19, 2012 }}</ref>

Booker contributed to the 2011 documentary ''[[Miss Representation]]'' and commented on the representations of [[Women in government|women in politics]] in [[mass media]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vogue.com/culture/article/jennifer-newsom-on-her-new-documentary-miss-representation/#1|title=Jennifer Newsom on Her New Documentary, Miss Representation|first=Molly|last=Creeden|website=[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]]|date=October 13, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130211152430/http://www.vogue.com/culture/article/jennifer-newsom-on-her-new-documentary-miss-representation/#1|archive-date=February 11, 2013}}</ref>

Booker appeared in a scene in the 2015 ''[[Parks and Recreation]]'' episode "Ms. Ludgate-Dwyer Goes to Washington" alongside [[Orrin Hatch]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/reliable-source/wp/2015/02/05/why-real-life-pols-love-parks-and-recreation-and-a-music-project-by-sens-orrin-hatch-and-cory-booker/ |title= Why real-life pols love 'Parks and Recreation,' and a 'music project' by Sens. Orrin Hatch and Cory Booker |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=February 5, 2015 |first=Emily |last=Heil |access-date=August 31, 2019}}</ref>

Booker appeared in the 2024 Netflix documentary ''[[You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment]].''<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chiorando |first1=Maria |title=Vegans have better sex, live longer and are healthier – according to new Netflix documentary |url=https://www.veganfoodandliving.com/news/netflix-you-are-what-you-eat-benefits-plant-based-vegan-diet/ |website=Vegan Food & Living |date=January 4, 2024 |access-date=January 9, 2024}}</ref>

=== Conan O'Brien "feud" ===
In the fall of 2009, ''[[The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien|Tonight Show]]'' host [[Conan O'Brien]] engaged in a [[satire|satirical]] on-air and [[YouTube]] feud with Booker, with O'Brien jokingly insulting Newark and Booker responding that he would ban O'Brien from the [[Newark Liberty International Airport|Newark airport]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIMRIQh7BJk| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100124201351/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIMRIQh7BJk| archive-date=January 24, 2010|title=Mayor Booker "Officially" Puts Conan O'Brien on Newark "No Fly List"|date=September 28, 2009|first=Cory|last=Booker|via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Alex|last=Leo|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/01/conan-responds-to-mayor-c_n_305981.html|title=Conan Responds To Mayor Cory Booker: You Are Now Banned From Burbank Airport|website=[[The Huffington Post]]|location=New York City|date=December 1, 2009|access-date=September 23, 2018}}</ref> Then-[[United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State]] [[Hillary Clinton]] called for the feud to end during a prepared comedy skit, telling Booker to chalk it up to a head injury O'Brien suffered less than two weeks earlier.<ref>{{cite web|first=Jennifer|last=Millman|url=http://www.nbcchicago.com/entertainment/television/Clinton-to-Conan-Drop-Booker-Go-Back-to-Mocking-My-Pantsuits--63850377.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091014063247/http://www.nbcchicago.com/entertainment/television/Clinton-to-Conan-Drop-Booker-Go-Back-to-Mocking-My-Pantsuits--63850377.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 14, 2009|title=Clinton to Conan: Drop Booker, Go Back to Mocking My Pantsuits|website=[[NBC]]|location=New York City|date=October 9, 2009}}</ref> Booker then appeared on O'Brien's show and assured viewers that the feud was over and that he was actually a big fan of O'Brien, who agreed that every time he made a joke about Newark, he would donate $500 to the City of Newark, and also made a $50,000 donation to the Newark Now charity, which [[NBC Universal]] matched.<ref>{{cite interview |first=Cory|last=Booker|interviewer=[[Conan O'Brien]] |title=An Interview with Harry Blackmun |work=[[The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien]] |publisher=[[NBC]] |location=New York City|date=October 5–9, 2009 }}</ref>

=== Waywire ===
In 2012, Booker and tech executives Sarah Ross and Nathan Richardson formed [[Waywire]], a company focused on [[video sharing]] technology.<ref name="Jefferson11262012">{{Cite news|first=Jefferson|last=Graham|title=Waywire founder Cory Booker has YouTube in his sights|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|location=McLean, Virginia| url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/talkingtech/2012/11/22/mayor-booker-and-waywire/1715461/|date=November 26, 2012| access-date=August 19, 2013}}</ref> Early investors included [[Oprah Winfrey]], [[Eric Schmidt]], [[Jeff Weiner]], and [[Troy Carter (music industry)|Troy Carter]].<ref name="Jefferson11262012" /> After Booker's relationship to Waywire was discussed in a front-page ''New York Times'' story,<ref>{{Cite news| first1=David M.|last1=Halbfinger|first2=Raymond|last2=Hernandez|first3=Claire|last3=Cain Miller|title=Tech Magnates Bet on Booker and His Future | url =https://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/07/nyregion/tech-magnates-bet-on-booker-in-web-venture.html| newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=August 6, 2013|access-date=August 19, 2013}}</ref> board member Andrew Zucker stepped down from his position.<ref>{{cite web| first=Eric|last=Lach|url=http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/08/cory_booker_waywire.php| title=What Will Happen To Cory Booker's Ridiculous Tech Start-Up If He's Elected?|date=August 13, 2013| website=TPM Muckraker| publisher=TPM Media| access-date=August 19, 2013}}</ref> Shortly thereafter, Waywire CEO Richardson departed the business as the company shifted its focus from content creation to content curation.<ref>{{cite web|first=Ryan|last=Lawler| url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/08/16/waywire-ceo-leaves/| title=Waywire CEO Nathan Richardson Departs As Company Shifts Focus From Content Creation To Curation|website=[[TechCrunch]]|publisher=[[AOL, Inc.]]|location=San Francisco, California|date=August 16, 2013| access-date=August 19, 2013}}</ref> In August 2013, Booker told [[NBC News]] he intended to resign from the Waywire board and put his holdings in a trust if elected to the Senate;<ref>{{cite web|first1=Kasie|last1=Hunt|first2=Jessica|last2=Taylor|url=http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/08/12/19991544-booker-defends-role-in-online-startup-says-hes-gone-above-and-beyond-on-transparency|title=Booker defends role in online startup; says he's gone 'above and beyond' on transparency|date=August 12, 2013|website=First Read|publisher=NBC News|access-date=August 19, 2013}}</ref> by September, he had resigned from the board and donated his share of the company to charity.<ref>{{cite news|first=Raymond|last=Hernandez|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/07/nyregion/booker-to-end-association-with-start-up-he-founded.html|title=Booker to End Association with Start Up He Founded|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|location=New York City|date=September 6, 2013|access-date=October 14, 2013}}</ref> Waywire was sold to another video curation business the next month.<ref>{{cite web|first=Peter|last=Kafka|url=http://allthingsd.com/20131013/waywire-cory-bookers-attempt-to-build-a-web-video-startup-sells-to-magnify/|title=Waywire, Cory Booker's Attempt to Build a Web Video Startup, Sells to Magnify|website=All Things D|publisher=[[Dow Jones & Company]]|location=New York City|date=October 13, 2013|access-date=October 14, 2013}}</ref>

=== Book ===
In 2016, Booker wrote an autobiography, ''United: Thoughts on Finding Common Ground and Advancing the Common Good''.

In an article in ''HuffPost'', [[Shmuly Yanklowitz]] said of the book:
{{blockquote|If there is anything that Booker repeatedly returns to in United, it is that the myopia of contemporary politics leads citizens astray, and leaves them vulnerable to ignoring issues of tangible importance. "I believe that this broken system, which afflicts us all, will be repaired" writes Booker near the end of the book. To repeat an earlier point, what sets Senator Booker's work apart from that of similar political books is that it seeks to elevate discourse rather than bring down opponents of the opposite partisan persuasion.<ref>{{cite news |last=Yanklowitz |first=Shmuly |title=Standing Together In the Era of National Division: Review of United by Cory Booker
 |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/standing-together-in-the_b_9359900 |date=March 3, 2016 |work=[[The Huffington Post]] |access-date=July 30, 2019 }}</ref> }}

== Personal life ==
[[File:Cory Book Gayle King 2011 Shankbone.JPG|thumb|right|Booker with longtime friend [[Gayle King]], 2011]]
Booker regularly exercises and has been a [[vegetarian]] since 1992, when he was a student at Oxford University.<ref name="KQED_interview">{{cite interview |last= Booker |first= Cory |subject-link= Cory Booker |interviewer= Mina Kim |title= Senator Cory Booker on the Power of Standing 'United' and Working Together |url= http://www.kqed.org/a/forum/R201602191000 |work= [[Forum (KQED)]] |location= [[San Francisco]] |date= February 19, 2016 |access-date= February 19, 2016 }} Beginning at 43 minutes into the podcast.</ref> He abstains from alcohol and "has no known vices or addictions (except books)".<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Lucy|last=Kaylin|url=http://www.oprah.com/world/Newark-Mayor-Cory-Booker-Profile/1|title=Is Cory Booker the Greatest Mayor in America?|magazine=[[O, The Oprah Magazine]] |publisher=[[Hearst Communications]]|location=New York City|date=August 23, 2010|access-date=April 25, 2012}}</ref><ref name="T&C">{{cite web|first1=Danielle|last1=Stein Chizzik|first2=Stellene|last2=Volandes|url=http://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/sexiest-men-2013-photos#slide-40|title=T&C's Top 40 Bachelors|website=[[Town & Country (magazine)|Town & Country]]|location=New York City|date= January 2013}}</ref> In 2014, Booker began practicing a [[vegan]] diet<ref name=KQED_interview /><ref>{{cite interview |last= Booker |first= Cory |interviewer= Jasmin Singer |title= Cory Booker on Animal Rights, Veganism, and How to Change the World |date= February 2019 |access-date= March 13, 2019 |work=[[VegNews]] |url=https://vegnews.com/2019/2/cory-booker-on-animal-rights-veganism-and-how-to-change-the-world |quote= I finally just made a decision that I was going to become vegan. I remember my last non-vegan meal was Election Day, November 2014.}}</ref> and has expressed his vegan ethical philosophy and advocacy for [[animal welfare|animals]].<ref>{{cite web|first= Jaimi |last= Dolmage |url=http://www.onegreenplanet.org/news/ny-post-thinks-cory-booker-is-an-animal-rights-extremist-because-he-eats-vegan/|title=NY Post Thinks Cory Booker is an Animal-Rights Extremist Because he Eats Vegan Food |website=One Green Planet|location= [[New York City]] |date= January 5, 2015 |access-date=December 8, 2015}}</ref> As of June 2016, Booker worshiped at the Metropolitan Baptist Church in Newark.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.rollcall.com/politics/cory-booker-national-democratic-surrogate-hillary-clinton-new |title=Cory Booker's At Home Preaching the Clinton Gospel |newspaper=Roll Call |date=June 6, 2016 |first=Simone |last=Pathé |access-date=December 29, 2018 |archive-date=October 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022103441/https://www.rollcall.com/politics/cory-booker-national-democratic-surrogate-hillary-clinton-new |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 1992, Booker recounted in his column for ''[[The Stanford Daily]]'' a sexual encounter during his teenage years and the messages he received that sex was a game. The column described Booker's changed attitudes towards sexual relations and how "skewed attitudes" lead to rape.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Booker |first1=Cory |title=So much for stealing second |url=https://archives.stanforddaily.com/1992/02/19?page=4&section=MODSMD_ARTICLE13 |access-date=December 19, 2018 |issue=12 |publisher=The Stanford Daily Publishing Corporation |date=February 19, 1992 |volume=201 }}</ref> ''[[The Daily Caller]]'' and [[Fox News]] brought up the column during the [[Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court nomination|Kavanaugh confirmation hearings]] in September 2018.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stanley-Becker |first1=Isaac |title=In 1992, Cory Booker wrote of 'groping' a high school friend as they 'fumbled upon a bed' and issued a call for sexual respect |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/09/21/in-1992-cory-booker-admitted-to-groping-a-high-school-classmate-and-issued-a-call-for-sexual-respect/ |access-date=December 19, 2018 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=September 21, 2018}}</ref>

From 1998 to 2006, Booker lived in [[Brick Towers]], a troubled housing complex in Newark's [[Central Ward, Newark, New Jersey|Central Ward]]. In November 2006, as one of the last remaining tenants in Brick Towers, Booker left his apartment for the top unit in a three-story rental on Hawthorne Avenue in Newark's South Ward, an area described as "a drug- and gang-plagued neighborhood of boarded-up houses and empty lots."<ref>{{cite news|first=Janet|last=Frankston Lorin|title=Mayor moves to tough Newark area|newspaper=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]|date=November 24, 2006}}</ref> Brick Towers has since been demolished, and a new mixed-income development was built there in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|first=Jeffery C.|last=Mays|url=http://www.nj.com/newark/index.ssf/2008/07/razed_brick_towers_no_longer_i.html|title=Razed Brick Towers no longer is a symbol of poverty |newspaper=[[The Star-Ledger]]|location=Newark, New Jersey|date=July 20, 2008|access-date=April 6, 2012}}</ref>

Since 2013, Booker has lived in a townhouse he owns in the [[Lincoln Park, Newark|Lincoln Park]] section of Newark's Central Ward, also known as "the Coast" for its arts, jazz, and nightlife history.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/rubycramer/cory-booker-yes-i-live-in-newark|title=Cory Booker: Yes, I Live In Newark|website=BuzzFeed News|last=Cramer|first=Ruby|date=October 14, 2013|access-date=February 15, 2019}}</ref>

Booker speaks [[Spanish language|Spanish]]; he attended a Spanish immersion program in [[Ecuador]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Siddiqui |first1=Sabrina |last2=Walters |first2=Joanna |title=Democratic senator announces presidential bid |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/feb/01/cory-booker-announces-run-for-presidency-in-2020 |website=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=March 7, 2019|date=February 1, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title='He's running for embarrassing dad at a Mexican restaurant': Democrats debate in Spanish, to mixed reviews |url=https://beta.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/06/27/hes-running-embarrassing-dad-mexican-restaurant-democrats-debate-spanish-mixed-reviews/?noredirect=on |newspaper=The Washington Post|last=Chiu|first=Allyson|date=June 27, 2019 |access-date=September 10, 2019 |language=en }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Cory Booker: "El trabajo de Trump en Puerto Rico no ha sido perfecto" |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdk9LfVW284 | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/xdk9LfVW284| archive-date=October 30, 2021|via=YouTube | date=October 22, 2017 |publisher=Univision Noticias |access-date=July 29, 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In 2020, Booker learned that he and entertainer [[RuPaul]] are cousins, after both appeared on the TV show ''[[Finding Your Roots]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2020/10/28/rupaul-cory-booker-cousins-orig-jk.cnn |title=See RuPaul and Cory Booker react to finding out they're cousins|publisher=[[CNN]]|date=October 29, 2020}}</ref>

In November 2022, Booker wrote a letter of support and leniency for [[Theranos]] founder [[Elizabeth Holmes]] to the federal judge before her sentencing hearing. In the letter, Booker said that Holmes "holds onto the hope that she can make contributions to the lives of others and that she can, despite mistakes, make the world a better place."<ref>{{cite news |last=Muldowney |first=Decca |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/theranos-founder-elizabeth-holmes-gets-surprise-support-from-senator-cory-booker |title=Theranos Founder Elizabeth Holmes Gets Surprise Support from Sen. Cory Booker |work=[[The Daily Beast]] |date=November 13, 2022 |access-date=November 18, 2022 }}</ref>

===Relationships===
Booker has never been married, and in 2013 he was named one of ''[[Town & Country (magazine)|Town & Country]]''{{'}}s "Top 40 Bachelors".<ref name="T&C" /> Although he has generally tried to keep his personal life private, Booker has in the past referred to himself as a "straight male" and said that he is trying to date more in hopes of finding someone to settle down with.<ref>{{cite news|last=Symons|first=Michael |title=Cory Booker's sexuality becomes issue in Senate race|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/08/29/cory-booker-gay-or-nay/2726237/|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|location=McLean, Virginia|date=August 29, 2013|access-date=September 23, 2020}}</ref> He has been romantically linked to poet [[Cleo Wade]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/cory-booker-real_n_5c54a758e4b08710475356a8 |title=Is Cory Booker For Real? |newspaper=HuffPost |date=February 1, 2019 |first=Hunter |last=Walker |access-date=June 25, 2019 }}</ref> In March 2019, actress [[Rosario Dawson]] confirmed to [[TMZ]] that she was in a relationship with Booker.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kurtz|first=Judy|title=Rosario Dawson confirms relationship with Booker|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/434121-rosario-dawson-confirms-relationship-with-booker/|newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|publisher=Capitol Hill Publishing Corp., a subsidiary of News Communications, Inc.|location=Washington, D.C.|date=March 14, 2019|access-date=September 23, 2020}}</ref> Their relationship ended in February 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/politics/rosario-dawson-cory-booker-split-after-more-than-2-years-breakup/|title=Rosario Dawson and Sen. Cory Booker Have Split After More Than 2 Years as a Couple |first=Aaron |last=Parsley|work=People|date=February 13, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2022/02/cory-booker-rosario-dawson-break-up-after-three-years-dating|title=Cory Booker and Rosario Dawson Break Up After Three Years of Dating |first = Emily |last=Kirkpatrick |publisher=Vanity Fair|date=February 13, 2022}}</ref>

In a 1992 column in ''[[The Stanford Daily]]'', Booker admitted that as a teenager he had "[[Homophobia|hated gays.]]"<ref>{{cite news |last1=Booker |first1=Cory |title=Pointing the finger at gays |url=https://stanforddailyarchive.com/cgi-bin/stanford?a=d&d=stanford19920408-01.2.23&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN------- |access-date=December 19, 2018 |issue=33 |publisher=Stanford Daily Publishing Corporation |date=April 8, 1992|volume=201 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Katie|last=McDonough|url=http://www.salon.com/2013/01/10/cory_booker_i_hated_gays/|title=Cory Booker: "I hated gays"|website=[[Salon (website)|Salon]]|location=San Francisco, California|date=January 10, 2013|access-date=September 23, 2020}}</ref> He has himself been rumored to be gay and has generally refused to address rumors like these on principle, as he explained in 2013:

<blockquote>Because I want to challenge people on their homophobia. I love seeing on Twitter when someone says I'm gay, and I say, "So what does it matter if I am? So be it. I hope you are not voting for me because you are making the presumption that I'm straight."<ref>{{cite news|first= Jason |last=Horowitz|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/new-jerseys-cory-booker-a-perfect-senator-for-this-town/2013/08/26/ebf3b50a-0e81-11e3-bdf6-e4fc677d94a1_story_3.html|title=New Jersey's Cory Booker: A perfect senator for 'This Town'?|date=August 26, 2013|access-date=October 17, 2013|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Max|last=Read|url=http://gawker.com/5979835/cory-bookers-spokesman-refuses-to-say-whether-or-not-hes-gay |title=Cory Booker's Spokesman Refuses to Say Whether or Not He's Gay |website=[[Gawker]] |publisher=[[Gawker Media]]|location=New York City|date=January 29, 2013|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318032326/http://gawker.com/5979835/cory-bookers-spokesman-refuses-to-say-whether-or-not-hes-gay |archive-date=March 18, 2013 |df=mdy }}</ref></blockquote>

== Electoral history ==
{{Election box begin no change
| title = [[2002 Newark mayoral election]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=2002 NEWARK MAYORAL ELECTION RETURNS |url=http://www.politicsnj.com/index_Newark2002.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031106231837/http://www.politicsnj.com/index_Newark2002.htm |archive-date=November 6, 2003 |website=politicsnj.com}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate no change
| candidate = [[Sharpe James]] ([[incumbent]])
| party = Nonpartisan
| votes = 28,363
| percentage = 52.9
}}
{{Election box candidate  no change
| candidate = Cory Booker
| party = Nonpartisan
| votes = 24,869
| percentage = 46.5
}}
{{Election box candidate no change
| candidate = Dwayne Smith
| party = Nonpartisan
| votes = 339
| percentage = 0.6
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 53,571
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change
| title = [[2006 Newark mayoral election]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tedeschi |first=Bruno R. |date=May 10, 2006 |title=Cory Booker wins mayoral election in Newark |url=https://www.nj.com/ledgerarchives/2008/01/booker_wins_big.html |access-date=September 15, 2019 |website=nj.com}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate  no change
| candidate = Cory Booker
| party = Nonpartisan
| votes = 32,134
| percentage = 72.1
}}
{{Election box candidate no change
| candidate = [[Ronald L. Rice]]
| party = Nonpartisan
| votes = 10,337
| percentage = 23.2
}}
{{Election box candidate  no change
| candidate = David Blount
| party = Nonpartisan
| votes = 1,831
| percentage = 4.1
}}
{{Election box candidate no change
| candidate = Nancy Rosenstock
| party = Nonpartisan
| votes = 238
| percentage = 0.5
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 44,540
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change
| title = [[2010 Newark mayoral election]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=2010 Unofficial Election Results |url=http://newarkelection2010.com/ward/mayor |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101127095505/http://newarkelection2010.com/ward/mayor |archive-date=November 27, 2010 |publisher=City of Newark}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate  no change
| candidate = Cory Booker ([[incumbent]])
| party = Nonpartisan
| votes = 22,745
| percentage = 59.1
}}
{{Election box candidate  no change
| candidate = Clifford J. Minor
|party = Nonpartisan
| votes = 13,570
| percentage = 35.3
}}
{{Election box candidate  no change
| candidate = Yvonne Garrett Moore
| party = Nonpartisan
| votes = 1,703
| percentage = 4.4
}}
{{Election box candidate no change
| candidate = Mirna L. White
| party = Nonpartisan
| votes = 444
| percentage = 1.2
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 38,462
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change| title=2013 United States Senate special election in New Jersey – Democratic primary<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 22, 2013 |title=Official List Candidates for US Senate For SPECIAL PRIMARY ELECTION FOR US SENATE 08/13/2013 Election |url=https://nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/2013/2013-official-special-primary-results-us-senate.pdf |access-date=July 25, 2016 |publisher=New Jersey Division of Elections}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
 |party = Democratic Party (United States)
 |candidate = Cory Booker
 |votes = 216,936
 |percentage = 59.2
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 |party = Democratic Party (United States)
 |candidate = [[Frank Pallone]]
 |votes = 72,584
 |percentage = 19.8
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 |party = Democratic Party (United States)
 |candidate = [[Rush Holt Jr.]]
 |votes = 61,463
 |percentage = 16.8
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 |party = Democratic Party (United States)
 |candidate = [[Sheila Oliver]]
 |votes = 15,656
 |percentage = 4.3
}}
{{Election box total no change
 |votes = 366,639
 |percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box majority no change
 |votes = 144,352
 |percentage = 39.4
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change| title=[[2013 United States Senate special election in New Jersey]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 28, 2013 |title=Official List Candidates for US Senate For SPECIAL GENERAL ELECTION FOR US SENATE 10/16/2013 Election |url=https://nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/2013/2013-official-special-general-results-us-senate-1028.pdf |access-date=July 25, 2016 |publisher=New Jersey Division of Elections}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
 |party = Democratic Party (United States)
 |candidate = Cory Booker
 |votes = 740,742
 |percentage = 54.9
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 |party = Republican Party (United States)
 |candidate = [[Steve Lonegan]]
 |votes = 593,684
 |percentage = 44.2
|change = N/A
}}
{{Election box candidate no change
 |party = Ed the Barber
 |candidate = Edward Stackhouse Jr.
 |votes = 5,138
 |percentage = 0.4
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 |party = Independent (politician)
 |candidate = Robert DePasquale
 |votes = 3,137
 |percentage = 0.2
}}
{{Election box candidate no change
 |party = Alimony Reform Now
 |candidate = Stuart David Meissner
 |votes = 2,051
 |percentage = 0.2
|change = N/A
}}
{{Election box candidate no change
 |party = Unity is Strength
 |candidate = Pablo Olivera
 |votes = 1,530
 |percentage = 0.1
}}
{{Election box candidate no change
 |party = Freedom of Choice
 |candidate = Antonio Nico Sabas
 |votes = 1,336
 |percentage = 0.1
}}
{{Election box candidate no change
 |party = Democratic-Republican
 |candidate = Eugene Martin Lavergne
 |votes = 1,041
 |percentage = 0.1
}}
{{Election box total no change
 |votes = 1,348,659
 |percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box majority no change
 |votes = 147,058
 |percentage = 10.9
}}
{{Election box gain with party link no swing
| winner = Democratic Party (United States)
| loser = Republican Party (United States)
| swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=[[2014 United States Senate election in New Jersey]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 2, 2014 |title=Official List Candidates for US Senate For GENERAL ELECTION FOR US SENATE 11/04/2014 Election |url=https://nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/2014/2014-official-general-results-us-senate.pdf |access-date=July 25, 2016 |publisher=New Jersey Division of Elections}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
 |party = Democratic Party (United States)
 |candidate = Cory Booker ([[incumbent]])
 |votes = 1,043,866
 |percentage = 55.8
|change = +0.9
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
 |party = Republican Party (United States)
 |candidate = [[Jeff Bell (politician)|Jeff Bell]]
 |votes = 791,297
 |percentage = 42.3
|change = -1.7
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
 |party = Libertarian Party (United States)
 |candidate = Joseph Baratelli
 |votes = 16,721
 |percentage = 0.9
|change = +0.4
}}
{{Election box candidate
 |party = Economic Growth
 |candidate = Hank Schroeder
 |votes = 5,704
 |percentage = 0.3
|change = +0.3
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
 |party = Independent (politician)
 |candidate = Jeff Boss
 |votes = 4,513
 |percentage = 0.2
|change = +0.2
}}
{{Election box candidate
 |party = Democratic-Republican
 |candidate = Eugene Martin Lavergne
 |votes = 3,890
 |percentage = 0.2
|change = +0.1
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
 |party = Independent (politician)
 |candidate = Antonio Nico Sabas
 |votes = 3,544
 |percentage = 0.2
|change = +0.12
}}
{{Election box total
 |votes = 1,869,535
 |percentage = 100.0
 |change = +38.6
}}
{{Election box majority
 |votes = 252,569
 |percentage = 13.5
 |change = +2.6
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no swing
| winner = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change
| title = [[2020 United States Senate election in New Jersey]] – Democratic primary
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Cory Booker ([[incumbent]])
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 366,105	
| percentage = 89.4%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = [[Lawrence Hamm]]
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 43,195	
| percentage = 10.6%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 409,300
| percentage = 100.0%
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin 
|title=[[2020 United States Senate election in New Jersey]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 14, 2021 |title=Official List Candidates for US Senate For GENERAL ELECTION FOR US SENATE 11/03/2030 Election |url=https://nj.gov/state/elections/assets/pdf/election-results/2020/2020-official-general-results-us-senate.pdf |access-date=December 7, 2020 |publisher=New Jersey Department of Elections}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
 | party      = Democratic Party (United States)
 | candidate  = Cory Booker ([[incumbent]])
 | votes      = 2,541,178
 | percentage = 57.23%
 | change = +1.39%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
 | party      = Republican Party (United States)
 | candidate  = Rikin Mehta
 | votes      = 1,817,052
 | percentage = 40.92%
 | change = -1.41%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
 | party      = Green Party (United States)
 | candidate  = Madelyn Hoffman
 | votes      = 38,288
 | percentage = 0.86%
 | change = N/A
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
 | party      = Independent
 | candidate  = Veronica Fernandez
 | votes      = 32,290
 | percentage = 0.73%
 | change = N/A
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link 
 | party      = Independent
 | candidate  = Daniel Burke 
 | votes      = 11,632
 | percentage = 0.26%
 | change = N/A
}}
{{Election box total 
 | votes      = 4,440,440
 | percentage = 100.0%
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no swing
 | winner     = Democratic Party (United States)}}
{{Election box end}}

== See also ==
* [[Barack Obama Supreme Court candidates]]
* [[List of African-American United States senators]]
* [[List of African-American United States Senate candidates]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
{{CongLinks | congbio=B001288 | votesmart=76151 | fec=S4NJ00185 | congress=cory-booker/2194 }}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* [https://booker.senate.gov/ Senator Cory Booker] official U.S. Senate website
* [https://corybooker.com/ U.S. Senate campaign website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20190706194429/https://corybooker.com/ Presidential campaign website] (archived)
* {{C-SPAN|84679}}

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{{s-bef|before=[[Sharpe James]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Mayors of Newark, New Jersey|Mayor of Newark]]|years=2006–2013}}
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|-
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{{s-bef|before=[[Frank Lautenberg]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] nominee for [[United States Senator|U.S. Senator]] from [[New Jersey]]<br>([[Classes of United States senators|Class 2]])|years=[[2013 United States Senate special election in New Jersey|2013]], [[2014 United States Senate election in New Jersey|2014]], [[2020 United States Senate election in New Jersey|2020]]}}
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{{s-bef|before=[[Barbara Boxer]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Party leaders of the United States Senate|Senate Democratic Chief Deputy Whip]]|years=2017–2021|alongside=[[Jeff Merkley]], [[Brian Schatz]]}}
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|-
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|-
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{{s-bef|before=[[Debbie Stabenow]]|as=Senate Democratic Policy and Communications Committee}}
{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the [[United States Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee|Senate Democratic Strategic Communications Committee]]|years=2025–present}}
{{s-inc}}
|-
{{s-par|us-sen}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Jeffrey Chiesa]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of United States senators from New Jersey|United States Senator (Class 2) from New Jersey]]|years=2013–present|alongside=[[Bob Menendez]], [[George Helmy]], [[Andy Kim (politician)|Andy Kim]]}}
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|-
{{s-prec|usa}}
{{s-bef|rows=2|before=[[Ed Markey]]}}
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{{s-aft|after=[[Thom Tillis]]}}
|-
{{s-ttl|title=[[Seniority in the United States Senate|Seniority in the U.S. Senate]]|years=46th}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Shelley Moore Capito]]}}
{{s-end}}

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