Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) announced that he is running for President Friday morning, releasing a video called “Rise” to his supporters.
“In America, we have a sense of common pain,” he says in voiceover as he walks down a city street under scaffolding. “But what we lack is a common purpose.”
“I grew up knowing that the only way we can make change is when people come together,” he continued over images of protests and marches.
He told his story of housing discrimination and how he chose to move into a low-income area of Newark and stay there while serving as Senator.
“In America, courage is contagious,” he said.
“Together, we will channel our common pain into our common purpose,” he finishes to an energetic drum beat. “Together, we will rise.”
Booker has been spending significant amounts of time forging relationships in early voting states, and has nearly finalized his Iowa staff.
He joins his colleague on the Senate Judiciary Committee Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) in announcing his official run. Fellow Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) has launched an exploratory committee. See a full rundown of Democratic presidential hopefuls here.
Watch the video here: