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 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.

Sections (6)

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

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.

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.

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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.

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February 11, 2006: Booker Announces Mayoral Run

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

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.

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.

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: 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: 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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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.

2012: Formed video sharing company Waywire

In 2012, Cory Booker and tech executives formed Waywire, a company focused on video sharing technology.

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: 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.

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2016: Published autobiography United

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

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

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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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.