History of Cory Booker in Timeline
Cory Booker is an American politician and lawyer currently serving as a U.S. Senator from New Jersey since 2013. He is the first African-American U.S. Senator from New Jersey. Prior to his Senate career, Booker served as the 38th Mayor of Newark from 2006 to 2013. He also held a position on the Municipal Council of Newark for the Central Ward from 1998 to 2002.
59 minutes ago : Cory Booker Endorses Veliky, Cruz for Passaic County Commissioner, Cassanova for Surrogate.
U.S. Senator Cory Booker endorsed Nick Veliky and Orlando Cruz for Passaic County Commissioner, and Zoila Cassanova for Surrogate, lending his support to their campaigns. Tahesha Way also backs Veliky and Cruz.
1936: Birth of Cary Alfred Booker
In 1936, Cary Alfred Booker, Cory Booker's father, was born.
April 27, 1969: Cory Booker Born
On April 27, 1969, Cory Anthony Booker was born. He is an American politician and lawyer who has been serving as a United States senator from New Jersey since 2013.
1986: Booker Named to All-USA High School Football Team
In 1986, Cory Booker was named to the 1986 USA Today All-USA high school football team.
1991: Booker Graduates from Stanford
In 1991, Cory Booker graduated from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Arts in political science.
1991: Cory Booker earned a BA from Stanford University
In 1991, Cory Booker received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stanford University.
1992: Booker Earns Master's Degree from Stanford
In 1992, Cory Booker received a Master of Arts degree in sociology from Stanford University.
1994: Booker earned a degree at Oxford
In 1994, Cory Booker earned a degree in United States history from The Queen's College, Oxford.
1997: Booker Obtained Juris Doctor from Yale
In 1997, Cory Booker obtained his Juris Doctor from Yale Law School.
1998: Booker Wins Newark Council Seat
In 1998, Cory Booker won an upset victory for a seat on the Municipal Council of Newark and went on a 10-day hunger strike to protest open-air drug dealing.
1998: Booker won a seat on the Municipal Council of Newark
In 1998, Cory Booker won an upset victory for a seat on the Municipal Council of Newark, staging a 10-day hunger strike to draw attention to urban development issues.
1999: James Elected State Senator
In 1999, Sharpe James was elected as a state senator.
January 9, 2002: Booker Announces Mayoral Campaign
On January 9, 2002, Cory Booker announced his campaign for mayor of Newark, challenging incumbent Sharpe James, which led to a contentious election.
2002: Booker Lost Mayoral Election to Sharpe James
In 2002, Cory Booker ran for mayor of Newark but lost to the incumbent Sharpe James.
2002: Mayoral campaign chronicled in 'Street Fight'
In 2002, Filmmaker Marshall Curry chronicled Cory Booker's mayoral campaign in the documentary Street Fight.
2005: 'Street Fight' nominated for Academy Award
In 2005, the documentary 'Street Fight', which chronicled Cory Booker's 2002 mayoral campaign, was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.
February 11, 2006: Booker Announces Mayoral Run
On February 11, 2006, Cory Booker announced that he would run for mayor of Newark again.
June 2006: Assassination plot foiled
In June 2006, before Cory Booker took office as mayor, investigators foiled a plot by Bloods gang leaders to assassinate him.
June 20, 2006: Court Ruled in Booker's Favor
On June 20, 2006, Superior Court Judge Patricia Costello ruled in Cory Booker's favor in a lawsuit against the James administration concerning cut-rate land deals.
July 1, 2006: Booker took office as mayor of Newark
On July 1, 2006, Cory Booker took office as mayor of Newark and announced a 100-day plan to implement reforms.
November 2006: Moved from Brick Towers to Hawthorne Avenue
In November 2006, Cory Booker, one of the last tenants in Brick Towers, moved to a rental on Hawthorne Avenue in Newark's South Ward.
2006: Start of violent crime reduction in Newark
From 2006 to 2008, Newark led the nation in violent crime reduction under Cory Booker's mayoralty.
2006: Booker defeated Ronald Rice to become Mayor of Newark
In 2006, Cory Booker ran again for mayor of Newark and defeated Deputy Mayor Ronald Rice.
2008: End of violent crime reduction in Newark
From 2006 to 2008, Newark led the nation in violent crime reduction under Cory Booker's mayoralty.
2008: City of Newark Receives Budget Award
In 2008 and 2009, the City of Newark received the Government Finance Officers Association's Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.
May 2009: Received honorary doctorate from NJIT and Brandeis University
In May 2009, Cory Booker received an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from the Newark-based New Jersey Institute of Technology and an honorary doctorate from Brandeis University.
October 2009: Booker Receives Sarah Brady Visionary Award
In October 2009, Cory Booker was given the Sarah Brady Visionary Award for his work in reducing gun violence.
2009: City of Newark Receives Budget Award
In 2008 and 2009, the City of Newark received the Government Finance Officers Association's Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.
2009: Turned down leadership of White House Office of Urban Affairs
In 2009, Cory Booker turned down the offer to lead the new White House Office of Urban Affairs, citing a commitment to Newark.
2009: Engaged in satirical feud with Conan O'Brien
In the fall of 2009, Cory Booker engaged in a satirical on-air and YouTube feud with Tonight Show host Conan O'Brien, which ended with O'Brien donating to Newark charities.
2009: Starred in documentary series Brick City
Since 2009, Cory Booker has starred in the documentary series Brick City, which focuses on his efforts to improve Newark. Brick City also won a Peabody Award in 2009.
March 2010: Booker wins a Shorty Award
In March 2010, Cory Booker won a Shorty Award in the government category for having the best microblog.
March 2010: Newark had first murder-free month in 44 years
March 2010 marked Newark's first murder-free month in over 44 years, during Cory Booker's mayoralty.
April 3, 2010: Booker announced his candidacy for reelection
On April 3, 2010, Cory Booker announced his candidacy for reelection as mayor of Newark.
July 2010: Booker Met Zuckerberg, Paving Way for Donation
In July 2010, Cory Booker met Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg at a conference, leading to Zuckerberg's later donation to the Newark school system.
September 2010: Zuckerberg Donated $100 Million to Newark Schools
In September 2010, Mark Zuckerberg announced he was donating $100 million to the Newark school system after meeting Cory Booker.
October 10, 2010: Booker Established Let's Move! Newark
On October 10, 2010, Cory Booker established Let's Move! Newark as part of First Lady Michelle Obama's national Let's Move! initiative against childhood obesity.
December 2010: Furloughs and Pay Cuts Implemented
From July through December 2010, Cory Booker's administration imposed one-day-a-month furloughs for all non-uniformed employees, as well as 2% pay cuts for managers and directors earning more than $100,000 a year.
December 2010: Received honorary doctorate from Yeshiva University
In December 2010, Cory Booker received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Yeshiva University.
December 28, 2010: Booker Shoveled Constituent's Driveway
On December 28, 2010, Cory Booker gained national attention when he responded to a constituent's request on Twitter and personally shoveled her elderly father's driveway.
2010: Received U.S. Senator John Heinz Award
In 2010, Cory Booker received the U.S. Senator John Heinz Award for Greatest Public Service by an Elected or Appointed Official.
2010: Supported economic growth and climate change initiatives
In 2010, Cory Booker supported long-term deficit reduction efforts for economic growth, cap and trade taxation to combat climate change, and increased funding for education.
2010: Booker Reelected as Mayor
In 2010, Cory Booker was reelected as mayor of Newark.
2010: Brick City nominated for Primetime Emmy
In 2010, the documentary series Brick City, starring Cory Booker, was nominated for a Primetime Emmy.
May 13, 2011: Delivered commencement address at New York Law School
On May 13, 2011, Cory Booker gave the commencement address to New York Law School graduates at Avery Fisher Hall.
May 2011: Received honorary doctorate from University of Rhode Island
In May 2011, Cory Booker received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the University of Rhode Island, where he also delivered the commencement address.
June 2011: Received honorary doctorate from Williams College
In June 2011, Cory Booker received an honorary doctor of laws degree for the urban transformation of Newark and served as that year's commencement speaker at Williams College.
October 2011: Booker Expands Let's Move! Newark Program
In October 2011, Cory Booker expanded the Let's Move! Newark program to include Let's Move! Newark: Our Power, a fitness challenge for public school students.
2011: Contributed to documentary Miss Representation
In 2011, Cory Booker contributed to the documentary Miss Representation and commented on the representations of women in politics in mass media.
April 12, 2012: Booker Rescued Woman from House Fire
On April 12, 2012, Cory Booker rescued a woman from a house fire, suffering smoke inhalation and burns in the process.
May 12, 2012: Controversial remarks on Meet the Press
On May 12, 2012, Cory Booker generated controversy on Meet the Press, criticizing attacks on Mitt Romney's record at Bain Capital and stating that attacks on private equity were nauseating. His communications director later resigned.
May 2012: Received honorary doctorate from Bard College
In May 2012, Cory Booker received an honorary doctor of laws degree from Bard College and gave the commencement speech.
June 17, 2012: Delivered commencement address at Stanford University
On June 17, 2012, Cory Booker delivered the commencement address at Stanford University and also received an honorary degree at Fairleigh Dickinson's 69th commencement ceremony in May 2012.
October 2012: Booker Offered Shelter After Hurricane Sandy
In late October 2012, after Hurricane Sandy, Cory Booker invited Newarkers without electricity to stay in his home.
2012: Booker Unsuccessful Candidate for World Mayor prize
Cory Booker was an unsuccessful candidate for the 2012 World Mayor prize.
2012: Formed video sharing company Waywire
In 2012, Cory Booker and tech executives formed Waywire, a company focused on video sharing technology.
January 2013: Booker Rescued Dog from Freezing Temperatures
In January 2013, Cory Booker rescued a dog from freezing temperatures.
February 2013: Booker Helped Constituent Propose
In February 2013, Cory Booker helped a constituent propose to his girlfriend via Twitter.
May 2013: Received honorary doctorate from Washington University in St. Louis
In May 2013, Cory Booker gave the commencement address at Washington University in St. Louis and received an honorary doctorate of law.
July 2013: Booker Rescued Abandoned Dog
In July 2013, Cory Booker rescued a dog that had been abandoned in a cage.
July 2013: Declared progressive alignment in Salon interview
In a July 2013 Salon interview, Cory Booker stated that there is nothing in the realm of progressive politics where you won't find me.
August 2013: Intended resignation from Waywire board
In August 2013, Cory Booker told NBC News he intended to resign from the Waywire board and put his holdings in a trust if elected to the Senate.
September 2013: Identified as Democrat and American in The Grio interview
In a September 2013 interview with The Grio, Cory Booker, when asked if he considered himself a progressive, stated that he was a Democrat and an American.
2013: Death of Cary Alfred Booker
In 2013, Cary Alfred Booker, Cory Booker's father, passed away.
2013: Refusal to Address Gay Rumors
In 2013, Cory Booker explained his general refusal to address rumors about his sexual orientation, rooted in principle.
2013: Booker Elected to U.S. Senate
In 2013, Cory Booker was elected to the U.S. Senate in New Jersey's special election.
May 16, 2014: Gave commencement speech at Ramapo College
On May 16, 2014, Cory Booker gave the commencement speech at Ramapo College of New Jersey at the IZOD Center.
2014: Booker Reelected to U.S. Senate
In 2014, Cory Booker was reelected to the U.S. Senate.
2015: Appeared in Parks and Recreation episode
In 2015, Cory Booker appeared in a scene in the Parks and Recreation episode "Ms. Ludgate-Dwyer Goes to Washington" alongside Orrin Hatch.
June 2016: Worship at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Newark
As of June 2016, Cory Booker worshiped at the Metropolitan Baptist Church in Newark.
2016: Published autobiography United
Cory Booker's autobiography, United: Thoughts on Finding Common Ground and Advancing the Common Good, was published in 2016.
2016: Considered as replacement for Clinton ticket
During the 2016 presidential election, Donna Brazile considered Cory Booker and Joe Biden as an ideal replacement ticket when Hillary Clinton had pneumonia, but ultimately decided against it.
April 2017: Criticized US strike on Syria
In April 2017, Cory Booker criticized the US strike on Syria, citing the lack of a clear plan or authorization from Congress.
September 2017: Submitted Medicare for All bill with Bernie Sanders
In September 2017, Cory Booker, along with Bernie Sanders and 14 other co-sponsors, submitted a single-payer plan called the "Medicare for All" bill to Congress.
2017: Booker testified against Jeff Sessions
In 2017, Cory Booker became the first senator to ever testify against another senator during attorney general nominee Jeff Sessions's confirmation hearing.
2017: Supported resolution celebrating Israeli annexation of East Jerusalem
In 2017, Cory Booker supported a resolution celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Israeli annexation of East Jerusalem.
2017: Voted against lowering prescription drug prices
In 2017, Cory Booker voted against a proposal to lower prescription drug prices, leading to criticism about his dependence on corporate support.
September 2018: The Daily Caller and Fox News brought up Booker's old column during Kavanaugh confirmation hearings
In September 2018, during the Kavanaugh confirmation hearings, The Daily Caller and Fox News referenced a 1992 column written by Booker.
March 2019: Relationship with Rosario Dawson Confirmed
In March 2019, actress Rosario Dawson confirmed that she was in a relationship with Cory Booker.
December 2019: Failed to meet debate polling thresholds
In December 2019, Cory Booker failed to meet the polling thresholds to participate in the sixth Democratic Party presidential debate.
2019: Cited frequent communication with AIPAC president
In 2019, Cory Booker mentioned that he frequently communicates with the president of the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC via text messages. He also addressed an AIPAC audience expressing common cause and alliance with the state of Israel.
January 13, 2020: Booker Suspended Presidential Campaign
On January 13, 2020, Cory Booker suspended his campaign for the Democratic nomination in the 2020 U.S. presidential election.
March 2020: Endorsed Joe Biden for president
In March 2020, Cory Booker endorsed former vice president Joe Biden for president.
2020: Criticism during presidential bid
During his 2020 presidential bid, Cory Booker faced criticism from the Republican National Committee for being disingenuous and from progressives for fundraising and ties to the business community.
2020: Booker Reelected to U.S. Senate
In 2020, Cory Booker was reelected to the U.S. Senate.
2020: Discovery of cousinship with RuPaul on Finding Your Roots
In 2020, after appearing on the TV show "Finding Your Roots", Cory Booker discovered that he and entertainer RuPaul are cousins.
2021: Criticized for recommending Christine O'Hearne for judgeship
In 2021, Cory Booker and Bob Menendez were criticized by The American Prospect for recommending Christine O'Hearne to a federal judgeship, citing her career history of defending employers against discrimination and sexual harassment claims.
February 2022: End of relationship with Rosario Dawson
In February 2022, Cory Booker's relationship with actress Rosario Dawson ended.
November 2022: Letter of Support for Elizabeth Holmes
In November 2022, Cory Booker wrote a letter supporting leniency for Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes to the federal judge assigned to sentence her.
2022: Voted for the Respect for Marriage Act
In 2022, Cory Booker voted for the Respect for Marriage Act, supporting LGBTQ+ rights.
August 20, 2024: Booker became New Jersey's senior senator
On August 20, 2024, Booker became New Jersey's senior senator after Bob Menendez resigned.
2024: Appeared in Netflix documentary You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment
In 2024, Cory Booker appeared in the Netflix documentary You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment.
April 1, 2025: Booker Delivers Longest Speech in Senate History
From March 31 to April 1, 2025, Cory Booker delivered the longest speech in U.S. Senate history, lasting 25 hours and five minutes, in protest of the second presidency of Donald Trump.
August 2025: Voted against blocking arms sales to Israel
In August 2025, Cory Booker voted against an effort led by Bernie Sanders to block the sale of military arms to Israel amid the Gaza war and humanitarian crisis.
September 2025: Announced engagement to Alexis Lewis
In September 2025, Cory Booker announced his engagement to Alexis Lewis.
November 24, 2025: Married Alexis Lewis in civil ceremony
On November 24, 2025, Cory Booker married Alexis Lewis in a civil ceremony in Newark, officiated by Judge Julien Neals.
2026: Published book Stand
In 2026, Cory Booker published his second book, Stand, in which he argues for 10 virtues he believes are necessary in American life.
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