STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

Obama Endorses Cory Booker's US Senate Bid

President Obama in his endorsement of Newark Mayor Cory Booker said he will be "an important partner" on key issues like gun violence and jobs.

There's little doubt that Newark Mayor Cory Booker will be heading to the U.S. Senate this fall, but on Wednesday his candidacy got a major boost: an endorsement from President Obama. The nation's top Democrat said that Booker will be "an important partner" on key issues.

"Cory Booker has dedicated his life to the work of building hope and opportunity in communities where too little of either existed," the president said in a statement released by Booker's campaign. "Whether as a college student working in East Palo Alto or as mayor of New Jersey's largest city, Cory has time and again taken on tough challenges, fought for the middle class and those working to join it, and forged coalitions that create progress and that's the spirit he'll carry with him to Washington."

Booker will face Republican Steve Lonegan in the special election on Oct. 16 to fill the seat left empty by the death of Democratic Sen. Frank Lautenberg. He currently leads his opponent by 16 points, according to a Monmouth University/Asbury Park Press poll released Tuesday.

“I am humbled by President Obama’s endorsement,” Booker said. “If elected this October, I will go to the Senate to advance our shared vision of a nation where opportunity is available to anyone willing to work for it, and to ensure we’re investing in the priorities that helped build America’s middle class."

BET Politics - Your source for the latest news, photos and videos illuminating key issues and personalities in African-American political life, plus commentary from some of our liveliest voices. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.

 (Photo: John Moore/Getty Images)

Latest News

Subscribe for BET Updates

Provide your email address to receive our newsletter.


By clicking Subscribe, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.