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 the senior United States Senator from New Jersey since 2013. He is the first African-American U.S. Senator from New Jersey and a member of the Democratic Party. Prior to his senate career, Booker served as the 38th mayor of Newark from 2006 to 2013. Before becoming mayor he served on the Municipal Council of Newark for the Central Ward from 1998 to 2002. Booker's career has been dedicated to public service in New Jersey.

Sections (6)

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

1991: Booker Graduated from Stanford University with a BA

In 1991, Cory Booker graduated from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Arts in political science.

1991: Cory Booker Received BA from Stanford University

In 1991, Cory Booker received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stanford University.

1992: Booker Graduated from Stanford University with an MA

In 1992, Cory Booker graduated from Stanford University with a Master of Arts in sociology.

1994: Booker Earned Degree in United States History

In 1994, Cory Booker earned a degree in United States history from The Queen's College, Oxford.

1997: Booker Obtained Juris Doctor from Yale Law School

In 1997, Cory Booker obtained his Juris Doctor from Yale Law School and operated free legal clinics for low-income residents of New Haven, Connecticut.

1998: Cory Booker Won Municipal Council Seat

In 1998, Cory Booker won an upset victory for a seat on the Municipal Council of Newark, defeating four-term incumbent George Branch. To draw attention to the problems of open-air drug dealing, he went on a 10-day hunger strike.

1999: Sharpe James Elected as a state senator

In 1999 Sharpe James elected as a state senator, a position he decided to focus on in 2006

January 9, 2002: Booker Announced Mayoral Campaign

On January 9, 2002, Cory Booker announced his campaign for mayor of Newark against incumbent Sharpe James.

2002: Cory Booker Lost Mayoral Election

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

2002: Filmed for Documentary "Street Fight"

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

2005: "Street Fight" nominated for Academy Award

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: Booker Announced Mayoral Run

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

June 20, 2006: Judge ruled in Booker's favor regarding land deals

On June 20, 2006, Superior Court Judge Patricia Costello ruled in Cory Booker's favor, concerning the lawsuit against the James administration to terminate 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. He announced a 100-day plan to implement reforms after his first week in office.

2006: Start of Cory Booker's Mayoralty

Cory Booker started as mayor in 2006 and lead the nation in violent crime reduction from 2006 to 2008. During his mayoralty, crime dropped significantly in Newark.

2006: Cory Booker Defeated Deputy Mayor Ronald Rice

In 2006, Cory Booker ran again for mayor and defeated Deputy Mayor Ronald Rice.

2008: Violent crime reduction

Cory Booker started as mayor in 2006 and lead the nation in violent crime reduction from 2006 to 2008. During his mayoralty, crime dropped significantly in Newark.

2008: City of Newark Received Budget Presentation Award

In 2008, the City of Newark received the Government Finance Officers Association's Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.

October 2009: Cory Booker 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: Turned Down White House Office Leadership

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

2009: City of Newark Received Budget Presentation Award

In 2009, the City of Newark received the Government Finance Officers Association's Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.

2009: Starred in Documentary Series Brick City and Won Peabody Award

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

March 2010: Booker Won Shorty Award for Best Microblog

In March 2010, Cory Booker won a Shorty Award in the government category for having the best microblog.

April 3, 2010: Booker 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 to Newark Schools

In September 2010, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg announced he was donating $100 million to the Newark school system, following conversations with 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 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 to shovel her elderly father's driveway.

2010: Cory Booker Reelected 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.

October 2011: Booker 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: Contributed to Miss Representation

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

2012: Formation of Waywire

In 2012, Cory Booker, Sarah Ross, and Nathan Richardson formed Waywire, a video sharing technology company.

August 2013: Intended Resignation from Waywire Board

In August 2013, Cory Booker announced his intention to resign from the Waywire board if elected to the Senate.

2013: Cory Booker Elected to U.S. Senate

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

2014: Cory Booker Reelected to U.S. Senate

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

2016: Considered as Replacement Ticket for Clinton

During the 2016 presidential election, Donna Brazile considered Cory Booker as a potential replacement ticket alongside Joe Biden for Hillary Clinton when she fell ill, but the idea was not pursued.

September 2017: Booker Co-sponsors "Medicare for All" Bill

In September 2017, Cory Booker joined Bernie Sanders and others in submitting the "Medicare for All" bill to Congress, advocating for a single-payer health care plan.

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.

December 2019: Failed to Meet Debate Polling Thresholds

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

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, following the suspension of his own campaign.

2020: Cory Booker Reelected to U.S. Senate

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

2022: Booker Supports Respect for Marriage Act

In 2022, Cory Booker demonstrated his support for LGBTQ+ rights by voting for the Respect for Marriage Act.

August 20, 2024: Cory Booker Became New Jersey's Senior Senator

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

April 1, 2025: Booker Delivered 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.