Newark, N.J. Mayor Cory Booker’s father, Cary Booker, died on Thursday, less than a week before the state’s special U.S. Senate election.
Cory Booker, a Demcrat, is facing off in the race against Republican former Bogota, N.J. Mayor Steve Lonegan. Booker’s campaign released a statement about his father’s death.
“Newark Mayor Cory Booker’s father, Cary Booker, 76, who recently suffered a stroke, passed away today in Las Vegas. Today’s remaining campaign events have been canceled,” the statement said.
The City of Newark also released a statement about Cary Booker’s death, describing his relationship with his son and ties to the community,
“The City of Newark is deeply saddened to announce that Mayor Booker’s father has passed away after a recent stroke. Cary A. Booker was born on December 10, 1936 and moved to New Jersey in 1969. He spent most of his professional career at IBM and was happily married to Carolyn Booker for 49 years,” said the statement. “Many people in our city came to know and love Cary Booker. Mayor Booker’s father was an inspiration to him, and someone the mayor has often credited with being a principal reason for him entering public service. The mayor’s public events have been cancelled as he gathers with his family and close friends.”
According to his campaign, Booker was planning to appear at a rally for the Monmouth Democrats prior to his father’s death. Booker is scheduled to kick off a statewide bus tour Friday.
