Cory Booker started as a local city councilman, then went on to become mayor, then U.S. senator. Now he has his eye on the White House. Brian Thompson reports.
What to Know
- New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker entered the Democratic presidential race on Friday, announcing he is running for president
- In 2013, he won a special election to represent New Jersey in the United States Senate and was re-elected in 2014 to a full six-year term
- Currently, Booker serves on numerous Senate committees
New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker entered the Democratic presidential race on Friday, announcing he is running for president.
"Together, we will channel our common pain back into our common purpose," Booker said.
Booker is the second black candidate in a primary field that's already historically diverse, delivered his message of unity amid an era marked by bitter political division. He announced his run on the first day of Black History Month, underscoring his consequential status as America's potential second black president after Barack Obama.
"What my neighbors are concerned with, and I've heard all around the country, is that people in America are losing faith that this nation will work for them," Booker said during a press conference held in Newark, New Jersey, Friday afternoon.
While addressing the public, Booker stressed the importance of leadership that champions patriotism and unity. He said he is looking to "unite Americans in this race" and bringing people together.
"It's about time we get to the hard work of building this nation to be who we want us to be -- our best values, our best ideals, the best of who we are," he continued on to say, adding "We need leadership in this country who understands what patriotism means, and patriotism is love of country. And, you can't love your country unless you love your fellow countrymen and women."
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During his press conference, Booker also talked about his support for a more fair tax code, public education, justice and teachers.
In his announcement video, Booker invoked the fight against slavery and the role of immigration in building the nation's character.
"The history of our nation is defined by collective action; by interwoven destinies of slaves and abolitionists; of those born here and those who chose America as home; of those who took up arms to defend our country and those who linked arms to challenge and change it," he said.
Booker, who grew up in Harrington Park, served as Newark mayor for more than seven years starting in 2006. Prior to his tenure in office leading New Jersey’s largest city, he founded a nonprofit organization to provide legal services for low-income families and, at age 29, served in the Newark City Council.
In 2013, he won a special election to represent New Jersey in the United States Senate and was re-elected in 2014 to a full six-year term.
Booker now serves on the Senate judiciary, foreign relations, environment and public works and small business and entrepreneurship committees.
Booker is also the ranking member of the Senate Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, the Senate panel responsible for overseeing Amtrak and passenger rail in the U.S.
Booker follows other Democratic senators who have also announced they are running for president in recent weeks, including New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and California Sen. Kamala Harris.
Who’s Running for President in 2020?
The race for the 2020 presidential election is underway, and the field of Democratic candidates is packed. Those who have announced presidential bids include a vice president, senators, House members and three mayors. As for the GOP, a single Republican has announced his bid to challenge President Donald Trump for the party nomination: former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld, who ran for vice president (and lost) in 2016 on the Libertarian party ticket.
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Updated Nov. 20, 2019
Note: Incorrect information about Michael Bennet’s cancer diagnosis and titles for Joe Sestak and William Weld have been revised on July 29, 2019, 3:17 p.m. ET.
Credit: Jo Bruni, Emma Barnett, Asher Klein, Dan Macht, Kelly Zegers / NBC; Photos: Getty Images
