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, serving since 2013. As a member of the Democratic Party, he is the first African-American U.S. senator from New Jersey. Before his Senate career, Booker was the 38th mayor of Newark, New Jersey, from 2006 to 2013. Prior to that, he served on the Newark Municipal Council representing the Central Ward from 1998 to 2002. Booker's career has been marked by his involvement in municipal and national politics.

Sections (6)

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

1998: Served on the Municipal Council of Newark

In 1998, Cory Booker served on the Municipal Council of Newark for the Central Ward until 2002.

1998: Won Newark 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. He went on a 10-day hunger strike to draw attention to open-air drug dealing and violence.

1998: Won Municipal Council Seat in Newark

In 1998, Cory Booker won an upset victory for a seat on the Municipal Council of Newark. He staged a 10-day hunger strike to address urban development issues.

1999: Sharpe James Elected as State Senator

In 1999, Sharpe James was elected as a state senator, a position he held when Cory Booker ran against him for mayor in 2002 and later in 2006 when James decided to focus on his work as a state senator.

January 9, 2002: Announced Mayoral Campaign

On January 9, 2002, Cory Booker announced his campaign for mayor of Newark, challenging incumbent Sharpe James. The campaign was marked by mudslinging and accusations.

2002: Lost Mayoral Election

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

2002: Served on the Municipal Council of Newark

In 2002, Cory Booker was still serving on the Municipal Council of Newark for the Central Ward, a position he held since 1998.

February 11, 2006: 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

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

July 1, 2006: 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 after his first week.

2006: Became Mayor of Newark

In 2006, Cory Booker became the 38th mayor of Newark, a position he held until 2013.

2006: Defeated Ronald Rice to become Mayor

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

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.

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 to Newark School System

In September 2010, Mark Zuckerberg announced he was donating $100 million to the Newark school system, following conversations with Cory Booker. This was announced on The Oprah Winfrey Show.

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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 by personally shoveling a constituent's driveway after being asked for help on Twitter.

2010: Reelected as Mayor

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

April 12, 2012: Booker Saves Woman from House Fire

On April 12, 2012, Cory Booker saved a woman from a house fire, suffering smoke inhalation and second-degree burns on his hands. The Newark Fire Chief suggested Booker's actions likely saved the woman's life.

October 2012: Booker Opens Home After Hurricane Sandy

In late October 2012, after Hurricane Sandy devastated the New Jersey and New York shorelines, Cory Booker invited Newark residents without electricity and services to eat and sleep in his home.

November 20, 2012: Melee at Newark City Council Meeting

On November 20, 2012, a melee occurred at a Newark City Council meeting attended by Cory Booker. The council was voting on a successor to Donald M. Payne, Jr.'s seat. Booker cast the deciding vote for Shanique Speight, leading to supporters of John Sharpe James storming the stage and riot police using pepper spray. Ras Baraka blamed Booker for inciting the disturbance.

December 2012: Booker Takes SNAP Challenge

In December 2012, Cory Booker began a weeklong challenge attempting to live on a food budget of $30 per week, the amount New Jersey paid SNAP recipients, after discussing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) with a constituent. He aimed to spark a discussion about Americans relying solely on food stamps.

December 20, 2012: Booker Considers Senate Run

On December 20, 2012, Cory Booker announced he would explore running for the U.S. Senate seat occupied by Frank Lautenberg in the 2014 election.

January 11, 2013: Booker Files Papers for Senate Campaign Committee

On January 11, 2013, Cory Booker filed papers to form a campaign committee for a potential Senate run, without announcing whether he would run.

January 2013: Booker Rescues Dog from Freezing Temperatures

In January 2013, Cory Booker rescued a dog from freezing temperatures.

July 2013: Booker Rescues Abandoned Dog

In July 2013, Cory Booker rescued another dog that had been abandoned in a cage.

August 13, 2013: Booker Wins Democratic Primary

On August 13, 2013, Cory Booker won the Democratic primary with approximately 59% of the vote.

November 2013: Booker Co-sponsors Employment Non-Discrimination Act

In November 2013, Cory Booker co-sponsored and voted for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

December 2013: Booker Co-sponsors Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act

In December 2013, Cory Booker was one of the original cosponsors of Bob Menéndez's Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act of 2013, which would toughen sanctions against Iran. He also voted for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 and the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013.

2013: Became U.S. Senator from New Jersey

In 2013, Cory Booker became the senior United States senator from New Jersey, a seat he has held since then. He is the first African-American U.S. 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.

January 2014: Booker Cosponsors Respect for Marriage Act

In January 2014, Cory Booker cosponsored the Respect for Marriage Act.

February 2014: Booker Votes Against Agriculture Reform Act

In February 2014, Cory Booker voted against the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013.

2014: Senate Election Year

In 2014, Cory Booker explored running for the U.S. Senate seat then occupied by Frank Lautenberg.

2014: Re-elected to U.S. Senate

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

2016: Booker Endorses Hillary Clinton

Leading up to the 2016 presidential election, Cory Booker endorsed Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination and was considered a potential vice-presidential candidate.

January 11, 2017: Booker Testifies Against Jeff Sessions

On January 11, 2017, Cory Booker testified against attorney general nominee Jeff Sessions, the first instance of a sitting senator testifying against another during a cabinet position confirmation hearing, after Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election.

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.

April 2018: Booker Introduces Legislation to Protect Special Counsel

In April 2018, after the FBI raided Michael Cohen's office, Cory Booker, along with Chris Coons, Lindsey Graham, and Thom Tillis, introduced the Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act to limit President Trump's ability to fire special counsel Robert Mueller. The legislation allowed for expedited judicial review of any dismissal.

September 5, 2018: Booker Questions Kavanaugh on Confidential Emails

On September 5, 2018, during Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearings, Cory Booker questioned Kavanaugh on emails marked "committee confidential" and released them publicly the next day. The emails showed discussions of racial profiling, and Booker defended his decision despite potential consequences.

2018: Criminal Justice Reform Efforts

In 2018, Cory Booker played a leading role in passing the First Step Act, a criminal justice reform bill. He also introduced the Marijuana Justice Act to legalize cannabis federally and address racial bias in marijuana arrests.

2018: Booker Part of 'Hell-No Caucus'

In 2018, Politico named Cory Booker part of the "Hell-No Caucus", along with Senators Kamala Harris, Kirsten Gillibrand, Elizabeth Warren, and Bernie Sanders, for voting against Trump's nominees for administration jobs.

February 1, 2019: Booker Announces Presidential Candidacy

On February 1, 2019, Cory Booker announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for president in the 2020 election.

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.

2020: Presidential Campaigns

In 2020, Cory Booker and other members of the "Hell-No Caucus", launched presidential campaigns, ultimately losing in the primary to Joe Biden, who then chose Kamala Harris as his running mate.

2020: Re-elected to U.S. Senate

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

January 6, 2021: Capitol Attack and Booker's Response

On January 6, 2021, Cory Booker was participating in the certification of the 2021 United States Electoral College vote count when Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol. Booker blamed Trump for inciting the attack and called for the invocation of the Twenty-fifth Amendment.

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

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

March 31, 2025: Booker's Marathon Speech

On March 31, 2025, Cory Booker began a marathon speech in the U.S. Senate, vowing to speak "for as long as I am physically able" regarding changes made by the Trump administration. His address lasted 25 hours and five minutes.

April 1, 2025: 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.