Up and Comers

So as a new feature, we'll periodically profile some up and coming politicians- feedback would be appreciated and please send suggestions.

Cory Booker is the mayor of Newark, New Jersey. He won on his second try- his first attempt ended in a close defeat to long-time incumbent Sharpe James. The first race was the subject of the documentary "Street Fighter"- a fantastic movie- here's the trailer:



Sharpe James was the symbol of corruption in Newark- a troubled city that is in the shadow of New York.

Booker had moved to Newark after his graduation from Yale Law School. He'd previously been a Rhodes Scholar and graduated with degrees in political science and sociology from Stanford. Booker moved in to one of the worst housing projects in Newark and helped organize tenants to fight for improved conditions. In 1998, Booker won a seat on the City Council.

The biggest challenge facing Booker in Newark is the rampant crime. He's equipped the police department with innovative technologies that allow them pinpoint criminal hot spots and deploy officers quickly. Business Week proclaimed it to be the future of crime fighting. The result is that Newark just announced its fewest numbers of homicides since 1959.

Booker is a close ally of President Obama and certainly seems like he'll be a candidate for higher office. There were rumors that he might challenge incumbent Governor Jon Corzine, but he took a pass on it this year.