President Barack Obama endorsed Newark Mayor Cory Booker for senator of New Jersey in a special election to succeed the late Frank Lautenberg, according to USA TODAY.
Obama mentioned Booker's strong history on issues like gun violence and the economy as a reason for his endorsement of the man he said will be an "important partner" to Democrats.
Booker's campaign released Obama's statement on Wednesday:
"Cory Booker has dedicated his life to the work of building hope and opportunity in communities where too little of either existed. Whether as a college student working in East Palo Alto or as mayor of New Jersey's largest city, Cory has time and again taken on tough challenges, fought for the middle class and those working to join it, and forged coalitions that create progress - and that's the spirit he'll carry with him to Washington."
The election for senator will be held on Oct. 16. Booker will be running against Republican Steve Lonegan, the former mayor of Bogota. A Monmouth University/Asbury Park Press poll released this week estimated Booker at 16 percentage points ahead of Lonegan.
Booker is a longtime supporter of Obama and said in a statement that he was "humbled" by his endorsement.
"The President has taken on the difficult fights," he said. "He worked to turn around our economy, to make high quality, affordable health care available to every American and to keep our country safe. I look forward to continuing to work with him to advance an agenda that spreads prosperity and ensures that our nation realizes the promise of its founding."
During the 2012 presidential election, Booker was active in supporting the president but openly criticized his campaign when they released a commercial questioning Republican candidate Mitt Romney's record as the head of Bain Capital.
Booker changed the tone of his remark after claiming the commercial was "nauseating" and said Obama was "incredibly gracious" about his critical comment, which made headlines for a few days.
