History of Cory Booker in Timeline
Cory Booker is an American politician currently serving as the senior United States Senator from New Jersey since 2013. As a member of the Democratic Party, he holds the distinction of being 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. His political career began on the Municipal Council of Newark, representing the Central Ward from 1998 to 2002, marking his early involvement in local governance and public service.
1960: Reference to 'Spartacus' Film
In 1960, the film 'Spartacus' was released, which Cory Booker referenced during Kavanaugh's confirmation hearings in 2018.
April 27, 1969: Cory Booker Born
On April 27, 1969, Cory Anthony Booker was born. He is an American politician who is the senior United States senator from New Jersey.
1986: Named to the USA Today All-USA high school football team
In 1986, Cory Booker was named to the USA Today All-USA high school football team while at Northern Valley Regional High School.
1991: Graduated from Stanford University
In 1991, Cory Booker graduated from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Arts in political science.
1992: Becomes a Vegetarian
In 1992, Cory Booker became a vegetarian while a student at Oxford University.
1992: Received a Master of Arts in sociology from Stanford University
In 1992, Cory Booker received a Master of Arts degree in sociology from Stanford University.
1992: Writes Column for The Stanford Daily
In 1992, Cory Booker recounted in his column for The Stanford Daily an incident from when he was 15 years old about his changed attitudes towards sexual relations.
1992: Admits to Hating Gays in Column
In a 1992 column in The Stanford Daily, Cory Booker admitted that as a teenager he had "hated gays."
1994: Earned a degree at Oxford
In 1994, Cory Booker earned a degree in United States history at The Queen's College, Oxford, as a Rhodes Scholar.
1997: 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: Moves to Brick Towers
From 1998, Cory Booker lived in Brick Towers, a troubled housing complex in Newark's Central Ward.
1998: Served on the Municipal Council of Newark
In 1998, Cory Booker served on the Municipal Council of Newark for the Central Ward.
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 for mayor in 2006.
January 9, 2002: Announced campaign for mayor of Newark
On January 9, 2002, Cory Booker announced his campaign for mayor of Newark, challenging incumbent Sharpe James. The campaign was marked by mudslinging and personal attacks.
2002: End of term at the Municipal Council of Newark
In 2002, Cory Booker ended his term at the Municipal Council of Newark for the Central Ward.
2002: Lost mayoral election to Sharpe James
In 2002, Cory Booker ran for mayor but lost to incumbent Sharpe James.
2002: Featured in Documentary 'Street Fight'
In 2002, Filmmaker Marshall Curry chronicled Cory Booker's mayoral campaign in the documentary Street Fight.
2004: Obama Elected to Senate
In 2004, Barack Obama was elected to the Senate.
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: Announced second run for mayor
On February 11, 2006, Cory Booker announced that he would run for mayor again. His campaign raised over $6 million, outspending his opponent significantly.
June 2006: Assassination plot foiled
In late June 2006, before Cory Booker took office, New Jersey investigators foiled a plot to assassinate him, led by Bloods gang leaders inside four New Jersey state prisons.
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, seeking to terminate 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, including increasing police forces and improving city services.
November 2006: Moves to Hawthorne Avenue
In November 2006, Cory Booker left his apartment in Brick Towers for a rental on Hawthorne Avenue in Newark's South Ward.
2006: Start of Violent Crime Reduction
From 2006 to 2008 Newark led the nation in violent crime reduction.
2006: Became Mayor of Newark
In 2006, Cory Booker became the 38th mayor of Newark.
2006: Defeated Ronald Rice to become Mayor of Newark
In 2006, Cory Booker defeated Deputy Mayor Ronald Rice to become Mayor of Newark. During his first term, affordable housing doubled and the city budget deficit was reduced.
2008: End of Violent Crime Reduction
From 2006 to 2008 Newark led the nation in violent crime reduction.
2008: City of Newark received Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
In 2008, the City of Newark received the Government Finance Officers Association's Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.
May 2009: Receives Honorary Degree from New Jersey Institute of Technology
In May 2009, Cory Booker received an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from the Newark-based New Jersey Institute of Technology for his outstanding career in public service as the Mayor of Newark.
October 2009: Received the 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 as mayor of Newark.
2009: Offered Leadership of White House Office of Urban Affairs
In 2009, after Barack Obama became President of the United States, Cory Booker was offered the leadership of the new White House Office of Urban Affairs, but he turned the offer down, citing his commitment to Newark.
2009: City of Newark received Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
In 2009, the City of Newark received the Government Finance Officers Association's Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.
2009: Satirical Feud with Conan O'Brien
In the fall of 2009, Tonight Show host Conan O'Brien engaged in a satirical on-air and YouTube feud with Cory Booker, which ended with O'Brien donating to Newark charities.
2009: Stars 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 by reducing crime and bring about economic renewal. Brick City won a Peabody Award in 2009.
March 2010: Won a Shorty Award
In March 2010, Cory Booker won a Shorty Award in the government category for having the best microblog.
March 2010: Newark's first murder-free month in over 44 years
March 2010 marked Newark's first murder-free month in over 44 years during Cory Booker's mayoralty.
April 3, 2010: Announced candidacy for reelection as Mayor of Newark
On April 3, 2010, Cory Booker announced his candidacy for reelection as Mayor of Newark, emphasizing the importance of a "united government" for progress. He was heavily favored to win.
July 2010: Attended dinner with Mark Zuckerberg
In July 2010, Cory Booker attended a dinner at a conference in Sun Valley, Idaho, where he was seated with Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.
September 2010: Zuckerberg donated to Newark school system
In September 2010, Mark Zuckerberg announced he was donating $100 million to the Newark school system after a conversation with Cory Booker. The donation was announced on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
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 2010: Furloughs for city workers
From July through December 2010, Cory Booker's administration imposed one-day-a-month furloughs for all non-uniformed employees in Newark, as well as 2% pay cuts for managers and directors earning more than $100,000 a year.
December 2010: Receives Honorary Doctorate from Yeshiva University
In December 2010, Cory Booker received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Yeshiva University for his bold vision for Newark and setting a national standard for urban transformation.
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 and personally helped shovel an elderly man's driveway.
2010: 'Brick City' Nominated for Primetime Emmy
In 2010, Brick City, the documentary series starring Cory Booker, was nominated for a Primetime Emmy.
2010: Brick Towers Demolished
In 2010, Brick Towers was demolished, and a new mixed-income development was built there.
2010: Receives 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, an award given out annually by the Jefferson Awards.
2010: Reelected as Mayor of Newark
In 2010, Cory Booker was reelected as Mayor of Newark.
May 13, 2011: Gives 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 (now David Geffen Hall) at Lincoln Center.
May 2011: Receives Honorary Degree from University of Rhode Island
In May 2011, Cory Booker received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the University of Rhode Island.
June 2011: Receives Honorary Degree 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: 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: Contributes 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.
2011: Newark Receives Emergency State Aid
In 2011, Newark received $32 million in emergency state aid, requiring a memorandum of understanding with the state regarding appointments to City Hall administrative positions.
April 12, 2012: Saved a woman from a house fire
On April 12, 2012, Cory Booker saved a woman from a house fire, suffering smoke inhalation and burns. His actions were credited with possibly saving her life.
May 12, 2012: Controversial Comments on Meet the Press
On May 12, 2012, Cory Booker appeared on Meet the Press and made remarks critical of Obama's reelection campaign, stating that the attacks on Mitt Romney's record at Bain Capital were "nauseating." This generated controversy and was used against Obama's campaign.
May 2012: Receives Honorary Degree 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: Gives Commencement Address at Stanford University
On June 17, 2012, Cory Booker delivered a commencement address to Stanford University graduates at Stanford Stadium.
October 2012: Invited Newarkers to his 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.
November 20, 2012: Newark City Council Meeting Melee
On November 20, 2012, Cory Booker attended a Newark City Council meeting where a melee occurred during a vote to fill a vacant council seat. Booker cast the deciding vote for Shanique Speight, leading to a disturbance by supporters of John Sharpe James, which was quelled by riot police using pepper spray. Ras Baraka blamed Booker for inciting the disturbance.
December 2012: SNAP Challenge
In December 2012, Cory Booker started a week-long challenge to live on a $30 food budget, the amount New Jersey SNAP recipients received, sparking a discussion about reliance on food stamps.
December 20, 2012: Booker Explores Senate Run
On December 20, 2012, Cory Booker announced he would explore running for the U.S. Senate seat held by Frank Lautenberg in the 2014 election.
2012: Forms Waywire
In 2012, Cory Booker and tech executives formed Waywire, a company focused on video sharing technology.
2012: Unsuccessful candidate for World Mayor prize
In 2012, Cory Booker was an unsuccessful candidate for the World Mayor prize.
2012: Newark Receives Emergency State Aid
In 2012, Newark received $32 million in emergency state aid, requiring a memorandum of understanding with the state regarding appointments to City Hall administrative positions.
January 11, 2013: Booker Files Campaign Committee Papers
On January 11, 2013, Cory Booker filed papers to form a campaign committee for U.S. Senate without announcing if he would run.
January 2013: Rescued a dog from freezing temperatures
In January 2013, Cory Booker rescued a dog from freezing temperatures.
February 2013: Helped with a marriage proposal
In February 2013, Cory Booker helped a nervous constituent propose to his girlfriend after responding to a Twitter post.
May 2013: Gives Commencement Address at 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: Rescued an abandoned dog
In July 2013, Cory Booker rescued another dog that had been abandoned in a cage.
July 2013: Booker: 'Nothing in that realm of progressive politics where you won't find me.'
In a July 2013 interview with Salon, Cory Booker stated, "there's nothing in that realm of progressive politics where you won't find me."
August 13, 2013: Booker Wins Democratic Primary
On August 13, 2013, Cory Booker won the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate with approximately 59% of the vote.
August 2013: Intends 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; by September, he had resigned from the board and donated his share of the company to charity.
September 2013: Booker on self-identifying as a progressive
In a September 2013 interview with The Grio, when asked whether he considered himself a progressive, Cory Booker said he was a Democrat and an American.
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 co-sponsored 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 Senator of New Jersey
In 2013, Cory Booker became the senior United States senator from New Jersey. He is the first African-American U.S. senator from New Jersey.
2013: Refuses to Address Gay Rumors
In 2013, Cory Booker has generally refused to address rumors about being gay on principle.
2013: Elected to the U.S. Senate
In 2013, Cory Booker was elected to the U.S. Senate in a special election.
2013: Named Top Bachelor
In 2013, Cory Booker was named one of Town & Country's "Top 40 Bachelors".
2013: Moves to Lincoln Park Townhouse
Since 2013, Cory Booker has lived in a townhouse he owns in the Lincoln Park section of Newark's Central Ward.
January 2014: Booker Co-sponsors Respect for Marriage Act
In January 2014, Cory Booker cosponsored the Respect for Marriage Act.
February 2014: Booker Votes Against Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act
In February 2014, Cory Booker voted against the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013.
May 16, 2014: Gives Commencement Speech at Ramapo College of New Jersey
On May 16, 2014, Cory Booker gave the commencement speech at Ramapo College of New Jersey at the IZOD Center.
2014: Starts Vegan Diet
In 2014, Cory Booker began practicing a vegan diet and has expressed his vegan ethical philosophy and advocacy for animals.
2014: Reelected to the U.S. Senate
In 2014, Cory Booker was reelected to the U.S. Senate.
2014: Lautenberg Not Seeking Reelection
In 2014, Frank Lautenberg announced that he would not seek reelection.
2015: Appears 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: Worships at Metropolitan Baptist Church
As of June 2016, Cory Booker worshiped at the Metropolitan Baptist Church in Newark.
2016: Consideration as Potential Vice President Nominee
During the 2016 presidential election, when Hillary Clinton had an illness, Donna Brazile considered a ticket with Joe Biden and Cory Booker as an ideal replacement. However, the possibility of a divisive reaction and the possibility of "allowing Trump to capture votes in confusion" caused her to "not entertain any more thoughts of replacing Hillary."
2016: Writes Autobiography
In 2016, Cory Booker wrote an autobiography, United: Thoughts on Finding Common Ground and Advancing the Common Good.
2016: Booker Endorses Hillary Clinton
Leading up to the 2016 presidential election, Cory Booker endorsed Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination.
January 11, 2017: Booker Testifies Against Jeff Sessions
On January 11, 2017, Cory Booker testified against attorney general nominee Jeff Sessions during a cabinet position confirmation hearing.
April 2017: Criticism of US Strike on Syria
In April 2017, Cory Booker criticized the US strike on Syria, stating that the military action was taken "without a clear plan" or authorization from Congress.
September 2017: Booker Co-sponsors Medicare for All Bill
In September 2017, Cory Booker joined Bernie Sanders and others in submitting a single-payer health care plan to Congress called the "Medicare for All" bill.
2017: Vote Against Lowering Prescription Drug Prices
In 2017, Booker voted against a proposal to lower prescription drug prices, leading to criticism that he was too dependent on corporate support.
2017: Testified against Jeff Sessions
In 2017, Cory Booker was the first senator to ever testify against another senator during attorney general nominee Jeff Sessions's confirmation hearing.
April 2018: Introduction of Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act
In April 2018, Cory Booker, along with others, introduced new legislation to "limit President Trump's ability to fire special counsel Robert Mueller," termed the Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act.
September 5, 2018: Booker Questions Kavanaugh on Confidential Emails
On September 5, 2018, during Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearings, Cory Booker questioned Kavanaugh on "committee confidential" emails from Kavanaugh's time in the White House Counsel's office. Booker released the emails, potentially violating Senate rules, and defended his actions, inviting consequences and comparing the release to an "I am Spartacus" moment. Committee chairman Chuck Grassley said the documents had already been cleared for public release.
September 2018: Column Resurfaces During Kavanaugh Hearings
In September 2018, Cory Booker's 1992 column in The Stanford Daily was brought up during the Kavanaugh confirmation hearings.
2018: Booker Named Part of 'Hell-No Caucus'
In 2018, Politico named Cory Booker part of the "Hell-No Caucus", for voting "overwhelmingly to thwart [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.
March 2019: Confirms Relationship with Rosario Dawson
In March 2019, actress Rosario Dawson confirmed that she was in a relationship with Cory Booker.
December 2019: Booker Fails to Qualify for Debate
In December 2019, Cory Booker failed to meet the polling thresholds to participate in the sixth Democratic Party presidential debate.
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: Booker Endorses Joe Biden
In March 2020, Cory Booker endorsed former vice president Joe Biden for president.
2020: Presidential Campaign
In 2020, Cory Booker launched a presidential campaign.
2020: Discovers Relation to RuPaul
In 2020, Cory Booker learned that he and entertainer RuPaul are cousins after both appeared on the TV show Finding Your Roots.
2020: Reelected to the U.S. Senate
In 2020, Cory Booker was reelected to the U.S. Senate.
January 6, 2021: Booker Responds to Capitol Attack
On January 6, 2021, Cory Booker participated in the certification of the 2021 United States Electoral College vote count when Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol. He blamed Trump for inciting the attack and called for the invocation of the Twenty-fifth Amendment and/or impeachment to remove Trump.
2021: Criticism for Judicial Recommendation
In 2021, The American Prospect criticized Booker and Bob Menendez for recommending Christine O'Hearne to a federal judgeship after she had spent much of her career defending employers against discrimination and sexual harassment claims, and had defended a school against allegations that its swim coach had sexually abused a girl from ages 13 to 19.
February 2022: Relationship with Rosario Dawson Ends
In February 2022, Cory Booker's relationship with Rosario Dawson ended.
November 2022: Writes Letter of Support for Elizabeth Holmes
In November 2022, Cory Booker wrote a letter of support and leniency for Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes to the federal judge before her sentencing hearing.
2022: Booker Votes for Respect for Marriage Act
In 2022, Cory Booker voted for the Respect for Marriage Act, supporting LGBTQ+ rights.
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.
2024: Appears in Netflix Documentary
In 2024, Cory Booker appeared in the Netflix documentary You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment.
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