Booker, the former Newark mayor known for his active social media presence, took office last year to complete the term of the late Frank Lautenberg. His Twitter and Facebook accounts have been quieter this past year, as he learned the ins and outs of the Senate. With this victory, he will serve a full six-year term.
In his victory speech, Booker vowed to work with Republicans to alleviate, "the partisan gridlock of Washington."
‘"We need leaders in Washington who learn we get so much farther when we reach across the aisle," he said to an ecstatic crowd at Newark’s Robert Treat Hotel.
Booker’s words are apt; with decisive wins across the country, Republicans now hold the majority in both houses of Congress.
Republicans won big across the board Tuesday, which is good news for Governor Chris Christie. The New Jersey governor spent much of the campaign season traversing the county, campaigning for Republican candidates in 12 hotly contested gubernatorial races. According to NJ.com eight of the 12 candidates Christie stumped for took home victories in Ohio, South Carolina, Maryland, Wisconsin, Florida, Iowa, Michigan and Maine. The GOP candidates lost New Hampshire and Pennsylvania.
In other state election news, New Jersey voted in three new members to the U.S. House of Representatives: Democrat Donald Norcross in south Jersey’s 1st District, Republican Tom MacArthur in south Jersey’s 3rd District, and Democrat Bonnie Watson Coleman in central Jersey’s 12th District. Voters also approved both ballot measures. Question one amends the state constitution so judges are premitted to deny pre-trial release to some defendants charged with serious crimes. Question two created a constitutional amendment to creates a permanent funding source for the state to buy and preserve open space.