Community Corner

Booker Releases 'Voices' Video Series To Promote U.S. Senate Bid

Newark mayor's "Voices For Cory" series features first-person testimonials.

After taking heat for skipping a U.S. Senate debate to attend a fundraiser with Oprah Winfrey, Newark Mayor Cory Booker has released two in a series of first-person video interviews with people singing Booker’s praises.

The Booker campaign has released what they are calling the “Voices for Cory” video series with a pair of  testimonials from Audible.com CEO Don Katz and Dr. David Jefferson, Booker’s pastor.

Each of the videos runs about 90 seconds and each describes how Booker has aided the city of Newark during his tenure.

Find out what's happening in Middletownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Katz talks about the reasons for moving Audible.com to Newark and what he sees as a resurgence of business interest in the city.

"Cory is a deeply persuasive human being, and ultimately, if he believes in something, he can help get it done," Katz says in the video. "He just doesn’t stop."

Find out what's happening in Middletownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Jefferson, pastor of Metropolitan Baptist church where Booker is a longtime parishioner, says in the video that Booker’s tenacity is among his top qualities.

"He honestly believes we can do better," Jefferson says. "And that’s the kind of person I want representing us in Washington."

The Booker campaign promises more of the "Voices For Cory" series ahead of next week's U.S. Senate debates – a televised debate on Monday and a radio debate on Thursday.

Booker has agreed to debate only those two times. The other Democratic candidates – U.S. Reps. Frank Pallone (D-6) and Rush Holt (D-12), along with state Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver (D-34) -- have already participated in two candidate forums and one televised debate and have others scheduled.

Booker drew criticism from candidates and the organizers of Thursday's NAACP candidate's forum, held just blocks from Newark City Hall, when he declined to attend. Booker instead was in Jersey City at a private fundraiser held at an exclusive restaurant that featured Winfrey.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here