Misplaced Pages

#570429

62-686: Formerly part of the Young Democrats of America , HSDA represents high school students at all levels of the Democratic Party. Although individual unaffiliated state chapters existed long beforehand, the High School Democrats of America itself was founded in December 2005, by Ahmed Kokon (NY) and Jonathan Padilla (CA), with Eddy Foster (PA) and Alicia Froio (PA) joining the board after the initial election. In June 2014,

124-466: A "political crony" of James. Booker won the May 9 election with 72% of the vote. His slate of city council candidates, known as the "Booker Team", swept the council elections, giving Booker firm leadership of the city government. On April 3, 2010, Booker announced his candidacy for reelection. At his announcement event, he remarked that a "united government" was crucial to progress, knowing his supporters in

186-524: A National Committee consisting of two representatives from individual states, territories, and the District of Columbia, in addition to Chairs and Vice Chairs from each Caucus. The Executive Board employs a group of volunteer staff, ranging from Financial Directors to Political Advisors. Other organizations at the national level include the Ethics Council, which resolves issues in an unbiased manner;

248-571: A Twitter post, Booker helped a nervous constituent propose to his girlfriend. Booker rescued a dog from freezing temperatures in January 2013 and another dog that had been abandoned in a cage in July 2013. On November 20, 2012, a melee occurred at a Newark City Council meeting Booker attended. The nine-seat council was to vote on the successor to the seat vacated by newly elected U.S. Representative Donald M. Payne, Jr. Booker's opponents on

310-557: A campaign committee without announcing whether he would run. About a month later, Lautenberg—then 89 years old—announced that he would not seek reelection in 2014. On June 3, Lautenberg died of viral pneumonia ; five days later, Booker announced his intention to run for Lautenberg's seat in a 2013 special election. Booker announced his candidacy at two events, one in Newark and the other in Willingboro . On August 13, 2013, Booker

372-460: A constituent about New Jersey's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Booker began a weeklong challenge attempting to live on a food budget of $ 30 per week—the amount he said that New Jersey paid SNAP recipients. When critics noted that the very name of the SNAP program shows that it is intended to "supplement" an individual's food budget, not be its sole source, Booker replied that his aim

434-725: A grassroots level by rallying young people behind causes. Local HSDA chapters have organized marches, registered voters, and helped to elect Democrats in their own communities. The HSDA National Caucus System consists of the Asian/Pacific Islander Caucus, Black Caucus, First Generation Caucus, Hindu Caucus, Jewish Caucus, Latinx Caucus, LGBTQ+ Caucus, Muslim Caucus, and Women's Caucus. Caucuses were formed to represent groups that, because of their gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, religious beliefs, or ethnicity, face substantial discrimination in American society as

496-526: A highly-visible setting. The organization has also proved instrumental and necessary in several campaigns across the country, including the election of Joe Donnelly and Elizabeth Warren to the US Senate, as well as the notable election of President Barack H. Obama in 2008. The organization has taken stances on important issues throughout the political spectrum, but has been recently focused on student loan reform, immigration reform, and gun control . After

558-599: A member of their advisory boards. Booker argued that the state's " pay-to-play " laws had been violated and that the land deals would cost the city more than $ 15 million in lost revenue. Specifically, Booker referenced a parcel at Broad and South Streets that would generate only $ 87,000 under the proposed land deals yet was valued at $ 3.7 million under then-current market rates. On June 20, 2006, Superior Court Judge Patricia Costello ruled in Booker's favor. In late June 2006, before Booker took office, New Jersey investigators foiled

620-505: A number of other officers and committee and caucus chairs. Past and Future YDA National Conventions were held in the below venues: Cory Booker Cory Anthony Booker (born April 27, 1969) is an American politician serving as the senior United States senator from New Jersey , a seat he has held since 2013. A member of the Democratic Party , Booker is the first African-American U.S. senator from New Jersey. He

682-682: A pharmaceutical executive and attorney. The election was primarily conducted by mail-in ballots , as mandated by Governor Phil Murphy in response to the COVID-19 pandemic . Booker and Mehta participated in a virtual debate sponsored by the New Jersey Globe , in which they sparred over issues including the Trump presidency , COVID-19 lockdowns , the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court , and systemic racism . In

SECTION 10

#1732764787571

744-553: A plot to assassinate him led by Bloods gang leaders inside four New Jersey state prisons. The motive for the plot was unclear, but was described variously as a response to the acrimonious campaign and to Booker's campaign promises to take a harder line on crime. Booker took office as mayor of Newark on July 1, 2006. After his first week in office, he announced a 100-day plan to implement reforms. The proposed changes included increasing police forces, ending background checks for many city jobs to help former offenders find employment in

806-472: A seat on the Municipal Council of Newark in 1998, staging a 10-day hunger strike and briefly living in a tent to draw attention to urban development issues in the city. He ran for mayor in 2002 but lost to incumbent Sharpe James . He ran again in 2006 and defeated Deputy Mayor Ronald Rice . Booker's first term saw the doubling of affordable housing under development and the reduction of

868-694: A student-run crisis hotline, and organized help from Stanford students for youth in East Palo Alto, California . Booker was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to study at The Queen's College, Oxford , earning a degree in United States history in 1994. At Oxford, Booker served as president of the Oxford University L'Chaim Society . He obtained his Juris Doctor in 1997 from Yale Law School and operated free legal clinics for low-income residents of New Haven, Connecticut . At Yale, Booker

930-577: A vigil candle in memory of his father. Booker resigned as mayor of Newark on October 30, and on October 31 was sworn in as the junior U.S. senator from New Jersey. He is the first African-American U.S. senator from New Jersey. On January 9, 2014, Brian D. Goldberg, a West Orange resident and New Jersey businessman, announced that he would seek the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate. On January 27, 2014, Freehold Township businessman Richard J. "Rich" Pezzullo announced his candidacy for

992-418: A whole. The organization is involved in a number of projects, including a Huffington Post blogging project and a separate publishing opportunity through The Progressive Teen , which serves as the official magazine of the organization with a full editorial staff. Both projects are aimed at inspiring political discourse and offering members the opportunity to voice their opinions about important civic issues in

1054-436: A woman from a house fire, suffering smoke inhalation and second-degree burns on his hands in the process. Newark Fire Chief John Centanni said that Booker's actions possibly saved the woman's life. After Hurricane Sandy destroyed much of New Jersey's and New York's shoreline areas in late October 2012, Booker invited Newarkers without electricity and similar services to eat and sleep in his home. In February 2013, responding to

1116-488: Is composed of "chartered units" with one from each U.S. state or territory. YDA holds a National Convention every two years during the summer of odd-numbered years with complex rules for how many votes each chartered unit may cast. The YDA National Committee meets at least two times per year and consists of the President of each chartered unit, two representatives of differing gender identities from each chartered unit, and

1178-488: Is responsible for connecting chapters, expanding HSDA, working on legislation, and promoting Democratic causes at the state level. State chapters also have an extensive list of accolades, including hosting a “Unity Day” with the Teen Age Republicans to promote bipartisanship. Each state holds its own elections to determine who assumes state leadership. Local chapters at high schools and in communities work at

1240-476: The 2016 presidential election , Booker endorsed Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination. He was considered a potential vice-presidential candidate during the primary and as the general election began, though he said on June 16 that he was not being vetted. After the election, in which Donald Trump defeated Clinton, Booker testified on January 11, 2017, against attorney general nominee Jeff Sessions ,

1302-729: The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 . In January 2014, he cosponsored the Respect for Marriage Act . In February 2014, Booker voted against the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 . In March, Booker pledged to meet with each of his Republican colleagues in the Senate in order to find common ground, and was spotted having dinner with Senator Ted Cruz in Washington. Leading up to

SECTION 20

#1732764787571

1364-538: The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act , it became an independent 527 organization . The group's membership consists of Democrats from ages 14 to 35, and its political activities include an emphasis on increasing the voter turnout of young people. YDA membership elects seven national officers on a biennial basis at the organization's National Convention in odd-numbered years and two DNC representatives in even-numbered years. These officers maintain

1426-498: The KKK [and] Taliban ... [who's] collaborating with the Jews to take over Newark." In the campaign James's supporters questioned Booker's suburban background, calling him a carpetbagger who was "not black enough" to understand the city. Booker lost the election, garnering 47% of the vote to James's 53%. The Oscar-nominated documentary Street Fight chronicles the election. During

1488-715: The Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in February 2018, HSDA members began to advocate for stronger gun control. Since 2015, HSDA has hosted an annual summit in Washington, D.C., to train student activists and teach them to organize in their communities. HSDA has also garnered the attention of several notable politicians, including Sen. Cory Booker , Sen. Elizabeth Warren , Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi , Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , and President Joe Biden . In 2020, 2021, and 2022,

1550-545: The city's neighborhoods . Despite legal challenges initiated during his term, Newark Public Schools remained under state control for nearly 20 years. Newark received $ 32 million in emergency state aid in 2011 and 2012, requiring a memorandum of understanding between Newark and the state that obligated the city to request and the state to approve appointments to City Hall administrative positions. While mayor, Booker claimed in an interview that Newark's unemployment rate had fallen by two percentage points. PolitiFact rated

1612-812: The Caucuses, which represent marginalized communities of race, orientation, and disability; the Diversity Committee, which consists of the Chairs and Vice-Chairs of the Caucuses as well as the Diversity Director and promotes inclusivity; and the Adult Advisory Board, which assists the E-Board in legal and financial matters as well as long-term planning. Each state organization works with all the local chapters in their state, and

1674-673: The HSDA Strategic Summit, in Washington, D.C., during July 2015. At the 2019 summer meeting of the Democratic National Committee in San Francisco, California, the party's Charter and Bylaws was amended to grant HSDA two seats on the DNC. The organization and rules governing HSDA are found in the organization's Official Bylaws. The national organization presides over HSDA as a whole. It is led by

1736-490: The High School Democrats of America formally ended its affiliation with the Young Democrats of America, and ceased functioning as the Young Democrats of America's High School Caucus. With the change, the position of National Parliamentarian became Development Director. The Development Director served as Parliamentarian and resolved disputes and presided over elections. The organization held its first national conference,

1798-808: The National Executive Board, which consists of the Chair, two Vice-Chairs of different genders, the Communications Director, the Programs Director, and the Development Director. The National E-Board is responsible for overseeing the organization, expanding HSDA, and working with states to promote Democratic causes. The National E-Board is elected every year by a ranked-choice election accessible to all members regardless of location. Leadership also includes

1860-585: The National Summit was virtual due to various reasons including the COVID-19 pandemic . In 2024, the summit returned to an in-person format. Young Democrats of America The Young Democrats of America ( YDA ) is the youth wing of the Democratic Party of the United States . YDA operates as a separate organization from the Democratic National Committee ; following the passage of

1922-596: The Newark Youth Project. In 1998, Booker won an upset victory for a seat on the Municipal Council of Newark , defeating four-term incumbent George Branch. To draw attention to the problems of open-air drug dealing and associated violence, he went on a 10-day hunger strike , living in a tent and later in a motor home near drug-dealing areas of the city. Booker also proposed council initiatives that affected housing, young people, law and order, and

High School Democrats of America - Misplaced Pages Continue

1984-671: The Newark's streets until as late as 4 a.m. Booker was a member of the Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition , a bipartisan group with a stated goal of "making the public safer by getting illegal guns off the streets". In October 2009, the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence gave him the Sarah Brady Visionary Award for his work in reducing gun violence. During his mayoralty, crime dropped significantly in Newark, which led

2046-641: The November 3 general election, Booker defeated Mehta, 57%–41%. In November 2013, Booker co-sponsored and voted for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act . In December 2013, he was one of the original cosponsors of Bob Menéndez 's Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act of 2013, which would toughen sanctions against Iran . He also voted for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 and

2108-606: The Republican nomination. Pezzullo had run for the US Senate in 1996 as the Conservative Party candidate. On February 4, 2014, conservative political consultant Jeff Bell announced his bid for the nomination. Bell was the Republican Party nominee for U.S. Senate in 1978. Ramapo College professor Murray Sabrin , who ran for the Senate in 2000 and 2008, announced his candidacy on February 13. Bell won

2170-512: The Republican primary and received support from the conservative American Principles Fund, which ran a direct-mail operation costing over $ 80,000, and the National Organization for Marriage, an organization opposing same-sex marriage, which paid for $ 6,000 of automated calling. Booker defeated Bell in the general election with 55.8% of the vote to Bell's 42.4%. In his reelection campaign, Booker faced Republican nominee Rik Mehta,

2232-597: The U.S. , particularly the racial wealth gap . Booker has pursued measures to reform the criminal justice system , combat climate change , and restructure national immigration policy . In foreign policy, he has voted for tougher sanctions against Iran , voiced support for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan , and lobbied for increased diplomacy in the Middle East. He was the first senator to ever testify against another senator during attorney general nominee Jeff Sessions 's 2017 confirmation hearing. Booker

2294-580: The campaign, Booker founded the nonprofit organization Newark Now. [REDACTED] On February 11, 2006, Booker announced that he would run for mayor again. Although James filed paperwork to run for reelection, he announced shortly thereafter that he would instead cancel his bid to focus on his work as a state senator , a position to which he was elected in 1999. At James's urging, Deputy Mayor Ronald Rice decided to run for mayor. Booker's campaign, raising over $ 6 million, outspent Rice's 25 to 1, for which Rice attacked him. Booker, in turn, attacked Rice as

2356-448: The city budget deficit from $ 180 million to $ 73 million. He was reelected in 2010 . He was elected to the U.S. Senate in a 2013 special election and reelected in 2014 and in 2020 . Throughout his Senate tenure, Booker has written, sponsored, and voted for legislation advancing women's rights , affirmative action , same-sex marriage , and single-payer healthcare . He has pushed for economic reforms to address wealth inequality in

2418-474: The city council faced tough reelections. Heavily favored to win, Booker faced former judge and Essex County prosecutor Clifford J. Minor and two minor candidates. Booker was reelected with 59% of the vote. Before taking office as mayor, Booker sued the James administration, seeking to terminate cut-rate land deals favoring two redevelopment agencies that had contributed to James's campaigns and listed James as

2480-671: The city, refurbishing police stations, improving city services, and expanding summer youth programs. One of Booker's first priorities was to reduce the city's crime rate . In furtherance of this, he appointed former deputy commissioner of operations of the New York City Police Department Garry McCarthy director of the Newark Police Department . Crime reduction was such a central concern of Booker's administration that he and his security team were known to personally patrol

2542-440: The claim "false" because he used data that had not been seasonally adjusted; the adjusted rate was 0.7 percentage points. On December 20, 2012, Booker announced that he would explore running for the U.S. Senate seat then occupied by Frank Lautenberg in the 2014 election , ending speculation that he would challenge Governor Chris Christie in the 2013 gubernatorial election . On January 11, 2013, Booker filed papers to form

High School Democrats of America - Misplaced Pages Continue

2604-412: The council, Baraka and two other council members walked away in protest. Booker cast the deciding vote for Speight. Supporters of James stormed the stage and were held back by riot police, who eventually used pepper spray on some members of the crowd. Baraka later blamed Booker for inciting the disturbance. Booker refused to comment to the media after the vote. In December 2012, after discussions with

2666-410: The council, including Ras Baraka , sought to appoint John Sharpe James, son of former mayor Sharpe James, while Booker and his supporters favored Shanique Speight. Booker attended the meeting to deal with the eventuality of the lack of a quorum or a tie vote, in which state law would allow him to cast a deciding vote. After acting council president Anibal Ramos Jr. refused Baraka an opportunity to address

2728-572: The day-to-day management of the organization. Most recently, officers were elected at the 2023 YDA National Convention in Las Vegas . Between national conventions, the governing body of YDA is the National Committee which is composed of the president and two national committee representatives from each chartered unit, along with the chairs of the twelve constituency caucuses, eight regional directors, eight chairs of select committees, and

2790-402: The donation, which he had wanted to make anonymously. On October 10, 2010, Booker established Let's Move! Newark as part of First Lady Michelle Obama 's national Let's Move! initiative against childhood obesity . Booker gained national attention on December 28, 2010, when a constituent asked him on Twitter to send someone to her elderly father's house to shovel his driveway because he

2852-454: The efficiency and transparency of City Hall, but was regularly outvoted. On January 9, 2002, Booker announced his campaign for mayor of Newark rather than running for reelection as councilman. That pitted him against longtime incumbent Sharpe James . James, who had easily won election four consecutive times, saw Booker as a real threat and responded with mudslinging . At one campaign event, James called him "a Republican who took money from

2914-545: The first black IBM executives . Booker has said that he was raised in a religious household and that he and his family attended a small African Methodist Episcopal Church in New Jersey. Booker has Sierra Leonean ancestry, which he learned when featured on the PBS television program Finding Your Roots . Booker graduated from Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan , where he played varsity football and

2976-521: The first instance of a sitting senator testifying against another during a cabinet position confirmation hearing. Booker supported fellow New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez when Menendez faced trial on federal corruption and bribery charges. During the trial, Booker was a character witness for Menendez, giving him effusive praise. After the judge declared a mistrial, Booker argued that prosecutors ought not to take Menendez to trial again. When Menendez ran for reelection, Booker praised Menendez, saying he

3038-573: The nation in violent crime reduction from 2006 to 2008. March 2010 marked Newark's first murder-free month in over 44 years, although murder and overall crime rates began to rise again after 2008. In addition to his crime-lowering initiatives, Booker doubled the amount of affordable housing under development and quadrupled the amount under pre-development, and reduced the city budget deficit from $ 180 million to $ 73 million. After taking office, Booker voluntarily reduced his own salary twice, first by 8% early in his first year as mayor. He also raised

3100-400: The nine individually elected officers. The President, Democratic National Committeeman, and Democratic National Committeewoman are members of the Democratic National Committee , and superdelegates to any Democratic National Convention occurring during their terms. Democratic party leaders and Democratic elected officials who are former YDA National Officers include: The YDA organization

3162-708: The salaries of many city workers. But his administration imposed one-day-a-month furloughs for all non-uniformed employees from July through December 2010, as well as 2% pay cuts for managers and directors earning more than $ 100,000 a year. In 2008 and 2009, the City of Newark received the Government Finance Officers Association 's Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. In an effort to make government more accessible, Booker held regular open office hours during which city residents could meet with him to discuss their concerns. In 2010, Booker

SECTION 50

#1732764787571

3224-429: The timing of Zuckerberg's donation a move for damage control to his image, as it was announced on the opening day of the movie The Social Network , a film that painted an unflattering portrait of Zuckerberg. But on her show, Winfrey told the audience that Zuckerberg and Booker had been in talks for months, had planned the announcement for the month before, and that she and Booker had to force Zuckerberg to put his name on

3286-553: Was a candidate for the Democratic nomination in the 2020 U.S. presidential election , suspending his campaign on January 13, 2020. He became New Jersey's senior senator when Bob Menendez resigned on August 20, 2024. Booker was born in Washington, D.C. ; he grew up in Harrington Park, New Jersey , 20 miles (32 km) northeast of Newark . His parents, Carolyn Rose ( née Jordan) and Cary Alfred Booker, were among

3348-773: Was "so grateful for Bob Menendez and that I get to work with him and stand beside him." Booker downplayed the corruption allegations, saying "to try to continue to try to throw this kind of mud at him, it's not going to stick. It didn't stick when the government tried to do it and it should not stick now." In 2018, Politico named Booker part of the "Hell-No Caucus", along with Senators Kamala Harris , Kirsten Gillibrand , Elizabeth Warren , and Bernie Sanders , after he voted "overwhelmingly to thwart his [Trump's] nominees for administration jobs" (including Rex Tillerson , Betsy DeVos , and Mike Pompeo ). The senators were all considered potential 2020 presidential contenders, and all five later launched 2020 presidential campaigns, losing in

3410-748: Was a founding member of the Chai Society (now Shabtai ). He also was a Big Brother with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and active in the National Black Law Students Association . Contemplating advocacy work and a run for city council in Newark after graduating from law school, Booker lived in the city during his final year at Yale. After graduation, he served as staff attorney for the Urban Justice Center in New York and program coordinator of

3472-586: Was about to attempt to do it himself. Booker responded by tweeting, "I will do it myself; where does he live?" Other people volunteered, including one person who offered his help on Twitter, and 20 minutes later Booker and some volunteers showed up and shoveled the man's driveway. In October 2011, Booker expanded the Let's Move! Newark program to include Let's Move! Newark: Our Power, a four-month fitness challenge for Newark public school students run by public health advocate Jeff Halevy . On April 12, 2012, Booker saved

3534-644: Was among the finalists for the World Mayor prize, ultimately placing seventh; he was also an unsuccessful candidate for the 2012 award. In March 2010, Booker won a Shorty Award in the government category for having the best microblog . In July 2010, Booker attended a dinner at a conference in Sun Valley, Idaho , where he was seated with Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg . Zuckerberg, who had no known ties to Newark, announced in September 2010 that he

3596-402: Was declared the winner of the Democratic primary, with approximately 59% of the vote. On October 16, he defeated Republican Steve Lonegan in the general election, 54.9% to 44.0%. Booker was the first African-American to be elected to the Senate since Barack Obama in 2004. The night before his victory, he visited the gravesite of Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson , offering prayers and lighting

3658-403: Was donating $ 100 million to the Newark school system. According to The New York Times , Booker and Zuckerberg continued their conversation about Booker's plans for Newark. The initial gift was made to start a foundation for education. The gift was formally announced when Booker, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie , and Zuckerberg appeared together on The Oprah Winfrey Show . Some considered

3720-539: Was named to the 1986 USA Today All-USA high school football team . He graduated from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Arts in political science in 1991 and a Master of Arts in sociology in 1992. He played football for Stanford at tight end and was teammates with Brad Muster and Ed McCaffrey , making the All- Pacific-10 Academic team. He was elected senior class president. In addition, Booker ran The Bridge Peer Counseling Center,

3782-512: Was the 38th mayor of Newark from 2006 to 2013, and served on the Municipal Council of Newark for the Central Ward from 1998 to 2002. Booker was born in Washington, D.C. , and raised in Harrington Park, New Jersey . He attended Stanford University , receiving a BA in 1991 and a master's degree a year later. He attended Queen's College, Oxford , on a Rhodes Scholarship before attending Yale Law School . He won an upset victory for

SECTION 60

#1732764787571

3844-765: Was to spark a discussion about the reality that many Americans rely solely on food stamps to survive. Throughout Booker's mayoralty, Fairleigh Dickinson University 's public opinion poll PublicMind asked New Jersey residents whether they had heard of Booker and whether they had a favorable or unfavorable opinion of him. The results were: September 2008 April 2009 May 2010 May 2012 January 2013 March 2014 Booker's mayoralty and celebrity drew substantial media attention to Newark. While he had high ratings from Newarkers, his legacy has received mixed reviews. During his tenure, millions of dollars were invested in downtown development, but underemployment and high murder rates continue to characterize many of

#570429