Sen. Cory Booker announced Friday that he is running for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination.
The New Jersey Democrat made the announcement Friday morning, on the first day of Black History Month.
“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 said in his announcement.
Booker noted that he's, "the only senator who goes home to a low-income, inner city community" in Newark, calling the city, "the first community that took a chance on me," CNN reported.
Booker also took a subtle jab at President Donald Trump, who he did not name, according to The Associated Press.
“I believe that we can build a country where no one is forgotten, no one is left behind; where parents can put food on the table; where there are good-paying jobs with good benefits in every neighborhood; where our criminal justice system keeps us safe, instead of shuffling more children into cages and coffins; where we see the faces of our leaders on television and feel pride, not shame,” he said.
Booker is the latest Democrat to announce his intent to seek the presidential nomination. Three other senators -- Elizabeth Warren, of Massachusetts; Kamala Harris, of California; and Kristen Gillibrand, of New York -- have either declared or announced they're interested in running for the Democratic nomination, the AP reported.
Booker's Friday announcement might have come as no surprise for those watching the race. In recent months, he's met with political leaders during visits to early-voting states Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, the AP reported.
Booker is scheduled to visit Iowa on Feb. 8 and 9, then go to South Carolina on Feb. 10 and finally New Hampshire on Presidents Day weekend, CNN reported.
Along with his candidacy, Booker announced his campaign staff, the New York Times reported.
- Addisu Demissie is his campaign manager. Matt Klapper is his senior advisor and former chief of staff for Booker's Senate office. Jenna Lowenstein is his deputy campaign manager.
- Modia Butler is his senior strategist and was Booker's chief of staff when he was mayor of Newark.
- Tamia Booker will be his national political director. She is not related to the candidate, according to information distributed by the campaign and previously worked for Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign as the African American Outreach Director.
- Jeff Giertz is Booker's national communications director and has served in the same role in Booker's senate office.
- Michael Tyler is the deputy national communications director. He had served as spokesperson and national press secretary for the Democratic National Committee.
Credit: AP Photo/ Cheryl Senter, File
Credit: AP Photo/ Cheryl Senter, File
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