New Jersey will have its first African American senator once Newark Mayor Cory Booker takes office. Booker will take the seat of Frank Lautenberg, a Democratic senator who has spent many years in the Senate, but who passed away in June. The New Jersey native has become a near celebrity, appearing often on cable news and morning news shows, and boasting a whopping 1.4 million followers on Twitter.
Many thought Booker’s campaign to be somewhat lacking though, as he gave roundabout answers to questions on his past political career. His once long-running lead closed in toward the end of the race, but opponent Steve Lonegan’s highly conservative views were far from what most voters were looking for, so Booker was able to snag the win in the end. Booker was elected to the Senate on Wednesday, and will also allow the Democratic Caucus to take a 55-45 advantage over the GOP Conference.
Booker gave a thankful speech at his victory party, saying: “Despite the cynicism and the negativity we often see on TV, despite a special election, New Jerseyans, hundreds of thousands, rejected all that and came out and voted. But more than that, you didn’t just vote, but you believed that your voice and your vote mattered.”
