Cory Booker has served as U.S. Senator from New Jersey since 2013, first elected in a special election to replace Frank Lautenberg. Born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Harrington Park, New Jersey, Booker is a Rhodes Scholar graduate of Stanford University and Yale Law School. He previously served as Mayor of Newark from 2006 to 2013 and on the Newark Municipal Council from 1998 to 2002. Booker has established himself as a national figure within the Democratic Party, having run for president in 2020 before suspending his campaign in January 2020. He is known for his social media engagement, particularly on Twitter/X, and his advocacy on issues including criminal justice reform, gun violence prevention, and economic justice.
Cory Anthony Booker was born on April 27, 1969, in Washington, D.C., and raised in Harrington Park, New Jersey. He earned a B.A. in Political Science and a Master's degree in Sociology from Stanford University (1991-1992), then attended Queen's College, Oxford, as a Rhodes Scholar, earning a graduate degree in History (1994). He received his J.D. from Yale Law School in 1997. Before entering electoral politics, Booker worked as an attorney in the nonprofit sector. He gained prominence as a Newark city councilman (1998-2002) and Mayor (2006-2013), during which he became known for direct constituent engagement and high-profile activism. As Mayor, he famously pulled a woman from a burning building and gained widespread media attention for his accessible approach to governance. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in a special election in 2013 to fill the seat of Frank Lautenberg and has been re-elected in 2014 and 2020. In 2019, he ran for the Democratic presidential nomination but suspended his campaign in January 2020, later endorsing Joe Biden. Booker was engaged to Alexis Lewis in September 2025. He published his first book, 'United,' in 2016, and his second book, 'Stand,' in 2026.
Advocates for raising wages, protecting small businesses, and fighting poverty
Recently introduced the Fair Wages for Incarcerated Workers Act of 2026 to ensure fair compensation for incarcerated individuals. Emphasizes bringing resources back to New Jersey.
Voting History: As Mayor and Senator, worked on affordable housing and economic development initiatives
Supports universal healthcare and drug price controls
Critics note his campaign receives support from healthcare industry donors despite claims of opposing pharma executives
Voting History: Voted to sell arms to Israel in August 2024 despite concerns about Gaza casualties
Advocates for sentencing reform and police accountability
Long-standing focus on criminal justice issues, though critics question depth of reforms
Voting History: Sponsor of Fair Wages for Incarcerated Workers Act of 2026
Climate action advocate
Co-chair of U.S. Senate Environmental Justice Caucus; worked on infrastructure and environmental projects
Voting History: Supported renewable energy and infrastructure investments
Opposed to overseas military interventions
In March 2026, introduced a war powers resolution to withdraw U.S. forces from Iran, joining Senators Kaine, Murphy, Schiff, Baldwin, and Duckworth
Voting History: Consistently voted against Trump administration nominees; recent focus on restraint in foreign conflicts
Booker has served as Senator since October 31, 2013. According to GovTrack, he missed 427 of 4,614 roll call votes (9.3%) from October 2013 to March 2026, which is significantly worse than the median of 2.8% among senators currently serving. He serves as Senate Democratic Strategic Communications Committee Chair, a leadership role that may account for reduced legislative activity. Booker has sponsored or cosponsored numerous bills, particularly focused on criminal justice, healthcare, and environmental issues. His voting record shows consistent Democratic Party alignment, though he has occasionally sought bipartisan cooperation.
| Bill | Title | Vote | Date | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S. 4143 | Fair Wages for Incarcerated Workers Act of 2026 | Sponsor | 2026-03-19 | Primary sponsor of legislation to ensure fair wages for incarcerated workers |
| S. 4225 | DOULA Act - Delivering Optimally Urgent Labor Access for Veterans Affairs Act of 2026 | Sponsor | 2026-03-26 | Bipartisan legislation co-sponsored with Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) to provide doula services to pregnant veterans |
| War Powers Resolution on Iran | Withdrawal of U.S. forces from unauthorized war with Iran | Sponsor | 2026-03-19 | Led effort with Democratic colleagues to rein in ongoing military operations |
| Multiple District Judge Nominations | District Judge confirmations including Brian Charles Lea and Justin R. Olson | Nay | 2026-02-04 to 2026-02-05 | Consistent voting against Trump administration judicial nominees |
Booker's social media tone in 2026 is more confrontational toward the Trump administration than in some previous years, reflecting his role as a Democratic communications strategist. Posts combine substantive legislative updates with pointed political criticism. His tone remains more positive and aspirational compared to some Democratic colleagues, emphasizing solutions and positive vision ('what we are for') rather than just opposition ('what we are against'), consistent with messaging in his 2026 book 'Stand.'
Criticism of Trump administration's tariff policies, noting trade deficit at all-time high, manufacturing job losses, and burden on consumers and farmers
Part of broader Democratic messaging against Trump economic policies; relevant to 2026 campaign positioning
View post →Updates on legislative work including environmental justice caucus initiatives, veterans' doula services, and war powers resolution on Iran
Showcases legislative activity and coalition-building with Democratic colleagues
View post →Booker is focused on 'greater Washington ambitions' rather than delivering for New Jersey residents
GOP Executive Director Luke Ferrante stated: 'New Jerseyans across the state are eager to elect a statewide representative that is focused on delivering for its residents, not their greater Washington ambitions'
Booker's record in Newark as Mayor left residents with lead-contaminated water
Campaign materials reference Booker's role as Mayor when Newark's water system was mismanaged, causing high lead levels that sickened thousands
Booker is bankrolled by 'Pharma and healthcare industries' and is 'buddies' with those sectors
Campaign website states: 'Cory Booker's buddies in the Pharma and healthcare industries have made Americans sicker while bankrolling Booker's political career'