Debate Highlights Booker’s Complex Relationship With Newark Schools

By John Mooney

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Cory Booker couldn’t have summed up better his enigmatic role in Newark public schools than his response to a question about education at the U.S. Senate debate this week.

The Newark mayor looked into the camera and said: “Even though I have no formal authority over public education in Newark whatsoever . . .”

And then off he went on one of his favorite and most passionate topics: educational opportunity for all kids, with Newark helping to lead the way.

For a guy with no legal power over the schools, Booker has been a prominent force in Newark education reform, both for popular and unpopular reasons.

If nothing else, the mayor’s relationship to his public schools is indeed complicated. That bond is likely to come in for more scrutiny, the closer he gets to the special Senate election on Wednesday.

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