Joining the likes of Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren, New Jersey senator Cory Booker announced that he will be running for president in 2020, according to CNN.
The Democratic senator has been described as charismatic and as being a great orator and before gaining his position as Senator, he served as the mayor of Newark, New Jersey for eight years. He announced his presidential run in a video early this morning in which he comments on victory can be achieved through collective action, not by individual interests.
He says "The history of our nation is defined by collective action; by interwoven destinies of slaves and abolitionists; of those born here and those who chose America as home; of those who took up arms to defend our country, and those who linked arms to challenge and change it."
Booker is not the only senator who is running for president in 2020, but at 49 he is the youngest candidate. Booker is considered a social liberal and supports women's rights, LGBT rights, same-sex marriage, is a proponent of single-payer healthcare, and co-sponsored and voted for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which would prevent discrimination in employment on the basis if sexual orientation and gender identity.
I heard Senator Booker speak at Maplewood Pride the day after the horrible Pulse Nightclub Massacre in 2016. He spread the message of unity, saying that in the wake of the tragedy, everyone, whether gay or straight, must stand up for what is right and actively oppose injustice.
I’m not making plans for his
I’m not making plans for his 2020 victory party, but what do I know. I was sure John Edwards would be the Democrat nominee, I thought George W would never be the Republican nominee, and in the end Hilary would defeat Barack Obama in 2008 and there was no way Trump would be nominated or elected. Glad I was wrong about 2008.