Dems Brightest Young Star to Become Newark Mayor

[Fabio]

Not officially, but today, the democratic mayor of Newark, Sharpe James, withdrew from the upcoming Mayoral Race (mid may). His departure opens the road for Cory Booker to become Mayor of Newark. I have met ALOT of politicians in my life, and some great young dems, but Cory is my favorite. Sooo excited.

[Doctor_J]

1. Congrats

Is he ambitious? Or will he be content presiding over Newark? His web site makes it look like he likes pressing the flesh - a young, black, Clinton. We could use some young-uns with charisma.

[LiberalPartisan]

2. I heard his name mentioned a lot when I lived in NJ

He's a star on the rise.

[Metta]

3. What's your take on Ron Wilson, Jr?

He looked good, the one thing I read about him and I think I went to grammar school with his father. Btw, why is Sharp not running? I thought he'd be mayor for life, as locked out as he had the competition.

[Fabio]

4. Dont know much about Ron Wilson

As for Sharpe, well, the writing was on the wall. I dont know if you have seen the documentary Street Fight about the 2002 mayoral race - but it didnt make sharpe look good. And it energized Cory's supporters.

The movie is great and gives a real sense of the man Cory Booker. You can buy it at www.marshallcurryproductions.com. It was nominated for an oscar this year but lost to March of the Penguins.

Anyhow, I am excited for Cory, for Newark, for the Country.

[Metta]

5. Thanks, Fabio.

I grew up in Newark during the '50s and '60s, under the reign of Hughie Adonizio who later went to prison. I've been through my old neighborhood, Weequahic, on the way to my mother's. She moved to Maplewood in the late '60s. It's like something out of a crime movie so I'm glad there's a light on the horizon.

[DelawareValleyDem]

8. Do you mean Ron Rice?

I'm not a close follower of NJ politics but I have some business contacts from his area who speak highly of him.

[Metta]

9. You might be right.

It's only been 50 years. The guy who's running for or is the West Side councilman.

[NJ Democrats]

6. Wow...

I didn't hear James withdrew. I guess its for the better.

[Rowdyboy]

7. This is fabulous news for liberal/progressive Democrats....

From the Huffington Post

Cory A. Booker, 36, is currently a partner in the Newark, New Jersey law firm of Booker, Rabinowitz, et al. and is also the President of Newark Now, a grassroots nonprofit group, a senior fellow at Rutgers University School of Public Policy and Planning, an honorary Public Interest Fellow of the University of Pennsylvania Law School, a 2003 Henry Crown Fellow, and a Visiting Associate at the Eagleton Institute of Politics.


In 1997, Cory rose to prominence by upsetting a four-term incumbent to become Newark's Central Ward Councilman. During his four years of service, Cory earned a reputation as a leader with innovative ideas and bold actions, from increasing security in public housing to building new playgrounds. For this work, he was recognized by TIME Magazine as the "The Savior of Newark". In 1997, he served as a Staff Attorney for the Urban Justice Center in New York, and Program Coordinator of the Newark Youth Project. In December 2002, ESQUIRE Magazine named him one of the country's "40 Best and Brightest".


Cory is a member of several boards including the Executive Committee of Yale Law School; Columbia University Teachers' College Board of Trustees; the Black Alliance for Educational Options, North Star Academy, Integrity Inc. and the International Longevity Center. He received a B.A. in political science in 1991 and an M.A. in sociology in 1992 from Stanford University. He then went to Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar and received an honors degree in modern history in 1994. In 1997 he earned his law degree from Yale University.


Cory ran for mayor of Newark in 2002, narrowly losing. He has announced his intention to seek the mayoralty again in 2006.

To hear him, check out his website

http://www.corybooker.com/main.cfm