Father of Newark Mayor Cory Booker dies

NEWARK (WABC) -- The father of Newark Mayor Cory Booker died Thursday at the age of 76.

Cary Booker passed away in Las Vegas after suffering a recent stroke.

In a statement, the city of Newark said "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. "

Cory Booker often speaks about how his father rose up from poverty. His father and mother, Carolyn, were among the first black executives at IBM. Cary Booker, who grew up in North Carolina, also was active in the civil rights movement.

The Booker family moved to New Jersey in 1969.

Cory Booker's campaign events were cancelled for Thursday. The Democrat is running in a special election for U.S. Senate against Republican Steve Lonegan. The election is next Wednesday.

Booker, the second term mayor of Newark, and Lonegan, the former state director of Americans for Prosperity, a group advocating for limited government and expanded personal liberties, squared off in the second of two debates on Wednesday night.

Booker maintains a comfortable lead in the race. However, after coasting through the Democratic primary, he has had to work harder in the general election campaign.

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new jersey politics, cory booker, politics & elections

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