Cory Booker
Born 1969 · Age 56
American politician, U.S. senator from New Jersey since 2013; former mayor of Newark (2006–2013); Rhodes Scholar and Yale-educated attorney. Advocate for criminal justice reform, economic opportunity, and civil rights.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Washington, D.C.
Cory Anthony Booker born to Cary and Carolyn Booker.
Named to USA Today All‑USA High School Football Team
Recognized as a top high school football player while at Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan.
Graduated Stanford University, BA in Political Science
Earned Bachelor of Arts; played tight end on Stanford football team; elected senior class president; ran The Bridge Peer Counseling Center.
Earned MA in Sociology from Stanford
Completed Master of Arts one year after BA.
Awarded Rhodes Scholarship (to Oxford)
Selected as a Rhodes Scholar to study at The Queen's College, Oxford (degree earned 1994).
Degree in U.S. History from Queen's College, Oxford
Completed Oxford degree as a Rhodes Scholar.
Staff attorney, Urban Justice Center (New York)
Worked as a staff attorney after law school and served as program coordinator of the Newark Youth Project.
Graduated Yale Law School (J.D.)
Earned Juris Doctor and operated free legal clinics for low-income New Haven residents.
10‑day hunger strike and tent/motor home protests
Staged a 10‑day hunger strike and lived in a tent and later a motor home to highlight open‑air drug dealing and urban issues in Newark.
Moved to Newark & lived in Brick Towers
Moved to Newark during final Yale year and later lived in Brick Towers public housing (lived there until demolition in 2007).
Elected to Newark Municipal Council (Central Ward)
Won upset victory defeating four-term incumbent George Branch; began term July 1, 1998.
Worked in private legal practice (partner)
Served as partner at law firm (Biography timeline notes partnership during 2002–2006 period).
Lost 2002 Newark mayoral election to Sharpe James
Received 47% of the vote to James's 53%; campaign was later chronicled in documentary 'Street Fight'.
Founded Newark Now (nonprofit)
Established nonprofit organization during 2002 mayoral campaign period to provide services to Newark residents.
Announced 2002 Newark mayoral campaign
Declared run for mayor rather than seeking reelection to council; challenged incumbent Sharpe James.
Appointed Garry McCarthy to lead Newark Police
Early in his first term Booker appointed former NYC deputy commissioner Garry McCarthy as director of Newark Police Department.
Reduced city budget deficit (major fiscal milestone)
During first term Booker cut Newark's budget deficit from $180 million to $73 million.
Voluntarily reduced own mayoral salary by 8%
Early in first year Booker reduced his salary by 8% and raised many city worker salaries.
Doubled affordable housing under development
Affordable housing production under development doubled during Booker's first term as mayor.
Assassination plot against Booker foiled
In late June 2006, New Jersey investigators foiled a purported plot led by prison gang leaders to assassinate Booker.
Announced 2006 mayoral campaign
Declared run for Newark mayor again in February 2006.
Won 2006 Newark mayoral election
Defeated Deputy Mayor Ronald Rice with approximately 72% of the vote; Booker's 'Booker Team' swept city council.
Court rules for Booker in suit over 'cut‑rate' land deals
Superior Court Judge Patricia Costello ruled in Booker's favor to terminate redevelopment land deals tied to the prior administration.
Assumed office as Mayor of Newark
Took oath and launched a 100‑day reform plan focusing on police, services, and youth programs.
Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Award (City of Newark)
Newark received GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award in 2008 (and again in 2009).
Featured in documentary 'Brick City'
August 2009 documentary series aired focusing on Newark and Booker's efforts at urban transformation.
Received Sarah Brady Visionary Award
Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence honored Booker for his work in reducing gun violence.
Won Shorty Award (government category)
Awarded for having the best microblog (Twitter) in government.
Announced 2010 re‑election campaign for mayor
Declared bid for a second term as mayor on April 3, 2010.
Reelected Newark Mayor with 59% of vote
Won reelection in May 2010 defeating Clifford J. Minor and others.
Dined with Mark Zuckerberg (led to major school donation)
Attended Sun Valley dinner with Zuckerberg (July); Zuckerberg announced a $100M donation to Newark schools in Sept 2010 that Booker helped plan and publicly announced with Booker and Gov. Christie on Oprah.
Launched 'Let's Move! Newark'
Joined First Lady Michelle Obama's national initiative with local program launched Oct 10, 2010 to combat childhood obesity.
Shoveled driveway of constituent after Twitter request
Responded personally to a Twitter plea and shoveled an elderly man's driveway, garnering national attention for constituent engagement.
Expanded 'Let's Move! Newark' (Our Power fitness challenge)
In October 2011 Booker expanded program to include a student fitness challenge run with public health advocate Jeff Halevy.
Rescued woman from house fire; injured
Saved a woman from a house fire on April 12, 2012; suffered smoke inhalation and second‑degree burns to his hands.
Spoke at 2012 Democratic National Convention
Delivered a speech at the DNC in September 2012 that raised his national profile.
Opened his home after Superstorm Sandy
Invited Newarkers without power to eat and sleep in his home after Hurricane Sandy (Oct 2012).
Cast deciding vote in contentious Newark City Council meeting
Attended Nov 20, 2012 council meeting and cast tie‑breaking vote for Shanique Speight; melee and pepper spray followed.
SNAP challenge (lived on $30/week food budget)
Completed weeklong challenge to live on amount he said SNAP recipients receive ($30/week) to spur dialogue on hunger assistance.
Public opinion: Name recognition and favorability rises (Jan 2013 poll data reflects 2012 trends)
By Jan 2013 public recognition had climbed significantly (PublicMind polls summarized in sources).
Announced exploration of U.S. Senate run
On Dec 20, 2012 Booker said he would explore running for Frank Lautenberg's Senate seat in 2014.
Filed papers to form Senate campaign committee
Filed paperwork Jan 11, 2013 without an immediate official announcement of candidacy.
Announced candidacy for 2013 special Senate election
Announced run to fill Lautenberg's seat (announcements held in Newark and Willingboro).
Senator Frank Lautenberg dies (vacancy created)
Death of five‑term Sen. Frank Lautenberg on June 3, 2013; Booker announced intention to run five days later.
Won Democratic primary for U.S. Senate (2013 special)
Declared winner of the Democratic primary with approx. 59% of the vote.
Won special general election to U.S. Senate
Defeated Republican Steve Lonegan 54.9% to 44.0% in Oct 16, 2013 special election.
Resigned as Mayor of Newark
Stepped down Oct 30, 2013 ahead of Senate swearing‑in.
Sworn in as U.S. Senator from New Jersey
Ceremonial swearing‑in Oct 31, 2013; first African‑American U.S. senator from New Jersey.
Reelected to full U.S. Senate term (2014)
Defeated Republican Jeff Bell 55.8% to 42.4% on Nov 4, 2014.
Memoir published: 'United: Thoughts on Finding Common Ground and Advancing the Common Good'
Published memoir (Biography timeline lists publication date Feb 16, 2016).
Delivered prime‑time speech at 2016 Democratic National Convention
Spoke in prime time and was considered a rising star and potential vice‑presidential pick for Hillary Clinton.
Testified against Jeff Sessions at AG confirmation
Became first sitting senator to testify against another senator during a Cabinet confirmation hearing (Jan 11, 2017).
Introduced Marijuana Justice Act
Filed bill to remove marijuana from federal controlled substances list and to expunge federal marijuana offenses (Aug 1, 2017).
Kavanaugh hearings: released committee memos ('Spartacus moment')
Made confidential Kavanaugh memos public during the Sept 2018 Supreme Court confirmation process; drew criticism and attention.
First Step Act signed into law
Bipartisan criminal justice reform bill that Booker helped craft was signed into law Dec 21, 2018; included limits on solitary confinement for juveniles under Booker amendment.
Announced 2020 presidential campaign
Launched campaign for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination (video announcement Feb 1, 2019).
Introduced bill to study slavery's impact / reparations commission
Filed legislation to create study commission on slavery's effects and potential reparations (April 2019, approximate).
Suspended 2020 presidential campaign
Ended presidential bid on Jan 13, 2020 after failing to gain traction and qualify for debates.
Endorsed Joe Biden for president
Publicly endorsed Biden's campaign on March 9, 2020.
Reelected to U.S. Senate (2020)
Defeated Republican Rik Mehta in a largely mail‑in election, 57% to 41%.
Became New Jersey's senior U.S. Senator
Ascended to senior senator status after Bob Menendez resigned on Aug 20, 2024.
Serving committee assignments in U.S. Senate
Serving on Judiciary, Foreign Relations, Agriculture, and Small Business committees (ongoing role as Senator).
Public profile & legacy events documented
Press analysis and retrospectives highlighted Booker's history of high‑profile acts (e.g., rescues, SNAP challenge, social media constituent aid) in coverage of his 2025 speech.
Assumed Chair, Senate Democratic Strategic Communications Committee
Became Chair (committee role) effective Jan 3, 2025 per Senate leadership assignments.
Delivered longest speech in U.S. Senate history
Spoke from March 31 to April 1, 2025 for 25 hours and 5 minutes in protest of the second presidency of Donald Trump; set Senate record.
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