Newark, N.J. Mayor Cory Booker (D) addressed rumors about his personal life Thursday night in an interview with MSNBC’s Chris Hayes, reiterating that his sexuality “is not an issue right now.”
Hayes pressed Booker on the subject from a “progressive” perspective, asking if Booker were gay, why he wouldn’t come out in order to challenge the public’s perceptions.
Booker said he thought it was “ridiculous” to be asked that question.
“The question really should not be am I gay or straight,” he responded. “The question should be, why the heck are you asking the question in the first place? It doesn’t make a whit of difference what kind of senator I’m going to be or not.”
“We need to stop in America talking about anybody in a public realm, besides what is important–the content of their character, the quality of their ideas, the courage within their hearts to serve others. That’s what’s important,” Booker added.
The Newark mayor also brushed back against his Republican opponent for the New Jersey Senate seat, Steve Lonegan, who said this week that speculation surrounding Booker’s sexuality was “kind of weird” before taking a swing at Booker’s masculinity.
“I have affirmed my sexual orientation numerous times over the years,” Booker said. “People in my local press world know exactly what that is.”
Watch the interview below:
