New Jersey Senator Cory Booker has joined the growing ranks of Democrats running for president in 2020. In a statement last week, Booker announced his plan to run for the highest office in the land.
Booker’s video statement reads:
“We are better when we help each other. I believe that we can build a country where no one is forgotten, no one is left behind; where parents can put food on the table; where there are good-paying jobs with good benefits in every neighborhood; where our criminal justice system keeps us safe instead of shuffling more children into cages and coffins; where we see the faces of our leaders on television and feel pride, not shame.”
Booker joins an ever growing field of candidates. At 49, he is the youngest entrant in the race so far. He is also single, and a resident of a lower income community in Newark in his home state. Booker has been willing to cooperate with Republicans in the past, particularly on criminal justice issues. Based on what we heard in the video, however, those days appear to be over.
Booker made headlines as a vocal member of the opposition against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh at 2018’s confirmation hearing. Booker was a key interrogator in the hearing and received plenty of press as a result. Before becoming a senator, Booker was a mayor, some critics have complained that he did not live up to his promises made to the city. Progressives in particular expressed concern for Booker’s support of school choice in the city.
While Booker is not a household name, he has been more present in recent months. He currently supports a policy for “Medicare for all” and a recent announcement that he will stop accepting corporate PAC funds. His acceptance of Wall Street funds and donors in the past has lead to some resistance from progressives.
The home base for Booker’s campaign headquarters will be in the city of Newark in New Jersey. The state is uniquely situated to offer access to both Washington DC and New York – and to multiple airports that make it easy to visit and campaign all over the country.
Booker has garnered comparisons to former President Obama based on both his appearance and oratory skill. He may be one of the leading contenders for the 2020 nomination; South Carolina may be a key state for him as the primaries begin. Booker’s team is also banking on favorable comparisons to President Trump and that his message will resonate with both Democrats and independents.
Booker joins an already crowded field in what is shaping up to be a busy and hotly contested primary season. His current opponents include Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren, John Delaney and Marianne Williamson. More candidates are expected to join soon.
~ Patriotic Freedom Fighter
