Cory Booker, close to NJ and national Jewish communities, wins Senate seat

Newark mayor elected to represent the Garden State, maintains strong ties to pro-Israel groups

Newark mayor and Senator-elect Cory Booker. (Photo credit: CC BY-SA/Wikimedia)
Newark mayor and Senator-elect Cory Booker. (Photo credit: CC BY-SA/Wikimedia)

WASHINGTON (JTA) — Cory Booker, the Newark mayor who headed two Jewish student societies while in university, was elected to represent New Jersey in the US Senate.

Booker, a Democrat, coasted to a win in a special election Wednesday to succeed the late Frank Lautenberg, defeating Republican Steve Lonegan with 55 percent to 44 percent of the vote, according to unofficial counts.

Booker retains strong ties with the New Jersey and national Jewish communities, and also is close to pro-Israel groups.

He is not Jewish, but immersed himself in Jewish learning in his university days, heading Jewish student societies at Oxford and Yale universities.

Booker will serve out the term of his fellow Democrat Lautenberg, who died in June, through 2014. Booker has indicated he will run for a full term next year.

Most Popular
read more:
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.