“The Democrats act like they can do it, and they’re not bad,” said Angel Leston, 38, who owns the Casa d’Anevo Restaurant in Newark, the largest city in New Jersey, who said Mr. Booker was the mayor and was elected to the Senate.
He added: “Now, there’s finally some fire.”
Newark-based Essex City Alliance president Vivian Cox Fraser said she found herself adjusting Mr. Booker’s speech at several points Monday and Tuesday and was inspired by his enthusiasm.
“You have to show the opposition in some way,” she said.
“I hope that will be more motivation – we’re going to stand up,” said Ms. Cox Fraser, who fears any cuts in education funding, social services or Medicaid would hurt families that their organizations serve.
Ryan Haygood, a civil rights lawyer in New Jersey, said he found Mr. Booker’s inspirational intention to “integrate his entire self into it.” “On every level, every level, every level of voice is needed to fight for the foundation and soul of this country,” said Haygood, who leads the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice.
“Thank you, Corey, for your commitment to protecting the values of our country,” New Jersey Governor Philip D. Murphy wrote on social media.
