Senator Cory Booker is calling on Democrats to deliver economic relief, confront political corruption and protect voting rights as the country prepares for the November midterm elections.
During an appearance on SiriusXM Urban View’s “The Karen Hunter Show,” the New Jersey Democrat joined host Karen Hunter and guest host Lurie Daniel Favors to discuss President Donald Trump, the Democratic Party’s priorities and misinformation surrounding his campaign finances.
Asked what Democrats should do if they regain control of Congress, Booker identified two immediate priorities.
“The first is deliver real economic change for Americans that are really struggling,” said Booker.
Speaking from Newark, where he lives, Booker addressed the financial struggles working families face.
“I have hardworking neighbors up and down my block who are working harder and harder, picking up extra jobs, and still having a hard time affording their health insurance, affording their groceries, filling the car with gas, and more.”
Booker said Democrats should advance legislation that directly benefits Americans, even if Trump threatens to veto it.
“We don’t want to do Dem bills. We want to do bills that deliver,” he declared, noting that his second priority is addressing corruption in Washington, including corporate influence over elected officials.
“We need to end this money in Washington that’s really corrupting the system.”
Hunter also questioned Booker about online claims suggesting he accepts political action committee contributions, particularly amid growing scrutiny of candidates’ financial relationships with AIPAC.
“You have been categorized as somebody that does take PAC money,” Hunter said, giving the senator an opportunity to respond.
Booker rejected the claims, saying he stopped accepting corporate PAC and federal lobbyist contributions more than a decade ago. He said he expanded that policy at the end of 2025.
“I will take no PAC money, no issue area PAC money,” he replied.
“There’s a bunch of BS that runs around online,” Booker added, alleging that some misinformation originates outside the United States. “I hope people will check the facts. All of this information is easily searchable.”
The conversation also turned to voting rights and concerns about efforts to weaken Black political representation.
“There is a direct connection between your voting rights and your economic rights,” Booker explained, citing congressional redistricting battles in Alabama and Louisiana, arguing that attempts to reduce Black electoral representation also threaten economic opportunities.
Booker also discussed his efforts to support Black Democratic candidates in traditionally Republican states, including Angie Nixon and South Carolina gubernatorial candidate Jermaine Johnson.
“I don’t think that the nation understands, and especially the Democratic Party understands, that we have to start expanding the map.”
As Election Day approaches, Booker encouraged Americans to remain politically engaged, urging Democrats to invest in states such as Alabama and Mississippi rather than concentrating resources on prominent races.
“This is not the time to be afraid. This is the time to stand up and fight back and to resist any temptation for them to divide us.”
