Cory Booker

Cory Anthony Booker was born on April 27, 1969, in Washington, D.C., and grew up in Harrington Park, New Jersey. His parents, Cary and Carolyn Booker, were among the first Black executives at IBM. Booker was raised in an African-American, political, and social environment focusing on civil rights and justice. He went on to attend Stanford University, obtain a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford, and earn a law degree from Yale University.

Cory Booker was elected as the Mayor of Newark, New Jersey, on July 1, 2006, after a successful campaign that unseated the incumbent mayor, Sharpe James. He was praised for focusing on reducing crime and incentivizing economic development in the city. During his time as mayor, Booker was known for his hands-on approach, often personally shoveling snow from residents' driveways and spending nights in a tent to show solidarity with local residents engaged in protests for better living conditions.

Cory Booker was sworn into the United States Senate on October 31, 2013, after winning a special election to fill the seat vacated by Senator Frank Lautenberg. Marking his transition from local to national politics, Booker became the first African-American U.S. senator from New Jersey. His tenure in the Senate has been characterized by efforts to advance criminal justice reform, tackle income inequality, and advocate for civil rights. Booker quickly emerged as a national voice within the Democratic Party.

Cory Booker made history on January 10, 2017, when he became the first sitting senator to testify against another sitting senator during a cabinet appointment hearing. Booker testified against Senator Jeff Sessions' nomination to be Attorney General in President Trump's administration, citing concerns over Sessions' record on civil rights, voting rights, and fairness in law enforcement policies. This action underscored Booker's commitment to civil rights and social justice issues and positioned him as a strong voice of opposition to the Trump administration at the time.

On February 1, 2019, Cory Booker announced his campaign to seek the Democratic nomination for President of the United States in the 2020 election. His campaign focused on messages of love, unity, and justice, emphasizing criminal justice reform, health care access, and inclusivity as key issues. Despite high early expectations and media attention, Booker struggled to gain significant support in a crowded Democratic field and suspended his campaign in January 2020. Booker's presidential bid highlighted his capabilities as an orator and compassionate leader, drawing from his experience as mayor and senator.

On April 18, 2019, Cory Booker reintroduced the Marijuana Justice Act, which aimed to federally legalize cannabis, expunge the records of those with federal cannabis offenses, and penalize states with racially or economically uneven cannabis policies. The bill was part of Booker's broader commitment to criminal justice reform, addressing the racial injustices endemic to drug-related policies and laws. Although the bill faced significant hurdles in the Republican-controlled Senate, it underscored Booker's progressive stances and legislative priorities, particularly concerning racial equity and justice.

Cory Booker drew national attention during the Supreme Court confirmation hearings of Brett Kavanaugh in October 2018 when he referred to his release of confidential documents as his 'Spartacus moment.' Booker released emails from Kavanaugh's time as a White House lawyer relating to racial profiling that were marked 'committee confidential,' challenging the process to bring transparency and citing the need for public understanding. Booker's bold move received mixed reactions, with some seeing it as grandstanding while others praised it as a courageous act in the face of intense scrutiny.

Cory Booker announced the suspension of his 2020 presidential campaign on January 13, 2020, after failing to secure sufficient support and resources to continue. Despite this setback, Booker's campaign had highlighted important issues such as criminal justice reform, racial equality, and health care for all. His departure from the race was seen as a loss for a centrist voice advocating compassion and unity. Booker returned to focus on his Senate duties, where he continued to wield influence on national policy, particularly in matters of justice and social equality.

In response to widespread protests against police brutality and racial injustice, Cory Booker became a prominent voice in advocating for comprehensive police reform in the United States. On June 25, 2020, Booker led efforts to advance the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act in the Senate, which aimed to improve police accountability, end racial profiling, and ban chokeholds. Although the bill faced political challenges, Booker's actions reinforced his commitment to civil rights and equity in policing practices, aligning with national and global calls for justice reform.