http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/12/nyregion/12booker.htmlMayor Cory A. Booker of Newark said yesterday that he would endorse Senator Barack Obama for president on Monday.
Mr. Booker’s endorsement is a coup for Mr. Obama. As mayor of New Jersey’s largest city, Mr. Booker is widely considered the most influential black elected official in the state, and his decision ends months of speculation over whether his support would go to Mr. Obama’s rival, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.
“I think Hillary is an excellent candidate, and I believe the same about a number of Democratic contenders,” Mr. Booker said. “But I really believe Obama has a rare opportunity in our history to be a prophetic voice for change in America. I think after years of America being divided, he has the ability to bring us together around our common ideals and our greatest aspirations.”
He added, “I’m tired of the politics of the lowest common denominator.”
Merle Treusch, a professor of political science at Kean University in New Jersey, said Mr. Booker’s endorsement could provide Mr. Obama with a potentially crucial boost in a state where Mrs. Clinton appears to have an early lead. She has already secured the endorsement of Gov. Jon S. Corzine, and a Quinnipiac University poll in the state in April showed her with a lead of 38 percent to 16 percent over Mr. Obama.
“Mayor Booker basically challenged the political establishment in Newark and New Jersey,” Professor Treusch said.
Mr. Booker’s endorsement highlights a potential drift of black support away from the Clinton campaign. A number of local black officials who only a few months ago were expected to endorse Senator Clinton have said more recently that Mr. Obama’s entrance into the race has left them undecided.
Senator Obama, who represents Illinois, is scheduled to visit Trenton on Monday for a town hall-style meeting with hundreds of members of the A.F.L.-C.I.O., a federation of labor unions that is a strong supporter of Democrats. Mayor Booker said he would make his endorsement announcement at a separate, undisclosed location that day.
Telephone calls to a spokeswoman for Mr. Obama were not immediately returned last night.
New Jersey, which holds its primary elections on Feb. 5, will be among the first states to cast their ballots for the presidential nomination. Professor Treusch said New Jersey’s position in the primaries, along with Mr. Booker’s support, could be a boon for Mr. Obama.
“New Jersey is now going to be a player, and traditionally New Jersey has turned out heavy numbers of voters for the Democrats,” he said. “This is going to do Obama’s campaign definite good.”
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