Newark, Mayor | featured news

Mayor Cory Booker of Newark was viewed by many as a rising political star but his chances of unseating Gov. Chris Christie were daunting.

Hoping to break any stigmas of government assistance, Newark Mayor Cory Booker of New Jersey will live on food stamps this week–a challenge that first began as a Twitter conversation. The Democratic mayor will operate on a food stamp budget of about $30 a week ($4.32 per day), roughly the same amount provided to people in New Jersey who take part in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Cory Booker strides to the lectern at a June reception honoring hedge-fund founder Bill Ackman. Pershing Square Foundation, Ackman’s philanthropic organization, had pledged more than $25 million since 2007 to help poverty-racked Newark improve schooling, enhance parks and find jobs for ex-convicts.

The mayor of New Jersey's largest city, Newark's Cory Booker, again came upon a life-or-death emergency, but the hero was someone else.

Conan O'Brien and Newark Mayor Cory Booker turned their frivolous feud about the gritty city into comedy on NBC's "Tonight Show" on Friday.