Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Cory Booker

Discover the career path of Cory Booker, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Cory Booker is an American politician and lawyer currently serving as the senior United States senator from New Jersey since 2013. He is the first African-American U.S. senator from New Jersey. Prior to his Senate tenure, Booker served as the 38th mayor of Newark from 2006 to 2013, and as a member of the Municipal Council of Newark for the Central Ward from 1998 to 2002.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1998: Served on Municipal Council of Newark

In 1998, Cory Booker served on the Municipal Council of Newark for the Central Ward.

1998: Won Municipal Council Seat

In 1998, Cory Booker won an upset victory for a seat on the Municipal Council of Newark.

1999: Sharpe James Elected as State Senator

In 1999, Sharpe James was elected as a state senator.

January 9, 2002: Announced Campaign for Mayor

On January 9, 2002, Cory Booker announced his campaign for mayor of Newark.

2002: End of Term on Municipal Council of Newark

In 2002, Cory Booker ended his term on the Municipal Council of Newark for the Central Ward.

2002: Mayoral Election Loss

In 2002, Cory Booker ran for mayor but lost to incumbent Sharpe James.

2002: Mayoral Campaign Documented

In 2002, Filmmaker Marshall Curry chronicled Cory Booker's mayoral campaign in the documentary Street Fight.

2005: "Street Fight" Academy Award Nomination

In 2005, the documentary "Street Fight", chronicling Cory Booker's 2002 mayoral campaign, was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

February 11, 2006: Announced Run for Mayor Again

On February 11, 2006, Cory Booker announced that he would run for mayor of Newark again.

June 20, 2006: Court Ruling in Booker's Favor

On June 20, 2006, Superior Court Judge Patricia Costello ruled in Cory Booker's favor in his lawsuit against the James administration.

July 1, 2006: Took Office as Mayor

On July 1, 2006, Cory Booker took office as mayor of Newark.

2006: Mayor of Newark

In 2006, Cory Booker became the 38th mayor of Newark.

October 2009: Received Sarah Brady Visionary Award

In October 2009, the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence gave Cory Booker the Sarah Brady Visionary Award for his work in reducing gun violence.

2009: Rejection of White House Position

In 2009, after Barack Obama became President, Cory Booker turned down the leadership of the new White House Office of Urban Affairs, citing his commitment to Newark.

2009: 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 donations to Newark charities.

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2009: Brick City Documentary Series

Since 2009, Cory Booker has starred in the documentary series Brick City, which focuses on his efforts to improve Newark.

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April 3, 2010: Announced Candidacy for Reelection

On April 3, 2010, Cory Booker announced his candidacy for reelection as mayor of Newark.

September 2010: Zuckerberg Donated $100 Million

In September 2010, Mark Zuckerberg announced that he was donating $100 million to the Newark school system due to his conversation with Cory Booker.

October 10, 2010: 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 28, 2010: Shoveled Constituent's Driveway

On December 28, 2010, Cory Booker gained national attention when he responded to a constituent's Twitter request to shovel her elderly father's driveway.

2010: Primetime Emmy Nomination for Brick City

In 2010, Brick City, the documentary series starring Cory Booker, was nominated for a Primetime Emmy.

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2010: Support for Economic Policies

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: Re-elected as Mayor

In 2010, Cory Booker was reelected as the mayor of Newark.

October 2011: Expanded 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 Newark public school students.

2011: Contribution to Miss Representation

In 2011, Cory Booker contributed to the documentary Miss Representation and commented on the representations of women in politics in mass media.

May 12, 2012: Meet the Press Controversy

On May 12, 2012, Cory Booker generated controversy on Meet the Press by criticizing attacks on Mitt Romney's record at Bain Capital, leading to follow-up comments and staff resignation.

October 2012: Opened Home After Hurricane Sandy

In late October 2012, after Hurricane Sandy, Cory Booker invited Newarkers without electricity and similar services to eat and sleep in his home.

2012: Formation of Waywire

In 2012, Cory Booker and tech executives formed Waywire, a company focused on video sharing technology, with investments from figures like Oprah Winfrey and Eric Schmidt.

July 2013: Progressive Politics Stance

In July 2013, during a Salon interview, Cory Booker stated that he aligned with progressive politics.

August 2013: Intention to Resign 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: Self-Identification as a Democrat and American

In September 2013, when asked by The Grio if he considered himself a progressive, Cory Booker stated that he identified as a Democrat and an American.

2013: U.S. Senator from New Jersey

In 2013, Cory Booker became the senior United States senator from New Jersey.

2013: Elected to U.S. Senate

In 2013, Cory Booker was elected to the U.S. Senate in New Jersey's special election.

2014: Reelected to U.S. Senate

In 2014, Cory Booker was reelected to the U.S. Senate.

2015: Appearance on Parks and Recreation

In 2015, Cory Booker appeared in a scene in the Parks and Recreation episode "Ms. Ludgate-Dwyer Goes to Washington".

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2016: Consideration as Vice Presidential Candidate

During the 2016 presidential election, Donna Brazile considered Cory Booker as a potential vice-presidential candidate to replace Hillary Clinton, but decided against it due to concerns about divisive reactions.

2016: Publication of Autobiography

In 2016, Cory Booker's autobiography, United: Thoughts on Finding Common Ground and Advancing the Common Good, was published.

United: Thoughts on Finding Common Ground and Advancing the Common Good

Check it on Amazon

April 2017: Criticism of US Strike on Syria

In April 2017, after the US strike on Syria, Cory Booker criticized the military action as being "without a clear plan" or authorization from Congress.

September 2017: Submission of Medicare for All Bill

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: 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: Support for Israeli Annexation of East Jerusalem

In 2017, Cory Booker supported a resolution celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Israeli annexation of East Jerusalem.

2017: Vote Against Lowering Prescription Drug Prices

In 2017, Cory Booker voted against a proposal to lower prescription drug prices, leading to criticism about his reliance on corporate support.

September 2018: The Stanford Daily Column Brought Up During Kavanaugh Hearings

In September 2018, The Daily Caller and Fox News brought up Booker's 1992 The Stanford Daily column during the Kavanaugh confirmation hearings. Booker considered Christine Blasey Ford's allegations "serious and credible" and criticized the Republican majority for failing to investigate them.

December 2019: Failed to Qualify for Democratic Debate

In December 2019, Cory Booker failed to meet the polling thresholds to participate in the sixth Democratic Party presidential debate.

2019: Relationship with AIPAC

In 2019, Cory Booker discussed his relationship with AIPAC, mentioning frequent communication and emphasizing the common cause between America and Israel.

January 13, 2020: 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: Endorsement of Joe Biden

In March 2020, Cory Booker endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden for president.

2020: Reelected to U.S. Senate

In 2020, Cory Booker was reelected to the U.S. Senate.

2021: Criticism for Judicial Recommendation

In 2021, The American Prospect criticized Cory Booker and Bob Menendez for recommending Christine O'Hearne to a federal judgeship due to her career defending employers against discrimination and sexual harassment claims.

2022: Vote for the Respect for Marriage Act

In 2022, Cory Booker voted for the Respect for Marriage Act, emphasizing his support for LGBTQ+ rights.

August 20, 2024: Became Senior Senator

On August 20, 2024, Cory Booker became New Jersey's senior senator when Bob Menendez resigned.

2024: Appearance in Netflix Documentary

In 2024, Cory Booker appeared in the Netflix documentary You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment.

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April 1, 2025: Longest Speech in U.S. 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: Vote Against Blocking Arms Sale to Israel

In August 2025, Cory Booker was in a minority of Senate Democrats that voted against an effort to block the sale of military arms to Israel amid the Gaza war and humanitarian crisis.