“A more courageous empathy is needed in our country to see the struggles of people from factory towns to farm towns to city towns who can't even afford the rent in their cities anymore because costs are going so high.”

American politician and author, 2010s–2020s A former New Jersey senator and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, Booker is known for his advocacy on criminal justice reform and his work as a public servant. His writing and speeches blend progressive policy with personal narratives of resilience and hope.