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A4 U.S. NEWS
Saturday 2 February 2019
New Jersey Democratic Sen. Cory Booker launches 2020 bid

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. Democratic voters. But
Sen. Cory Booker on Fri- "love ain't easy," he added.
day declared his bid for The senator also weighed
the presidency in 2020 with in on strategies to achieve
a sweeping call to unite a universal health care that
deeply polarized nation have shaken up the early
around a "common sense Democratic field, saying
of purpose." that he would not eliminate
The New Jersey Democrat, the private insurance indus-
who is the second black try outright — a stance his
candidate in a primary rival and friend, California
field that's already histori- Sen. Kamala Harris, recently
cally diverse, delivered his took heat for appearing to
message of unity amid an endorse during a televised
era marked by bitter politi- town hall.
cal division. He announced Booker won a special Sen-
his run on the first day of ate election in 2013 to
Black History Month, under- replace Democrat Frank
scoring his consequential Lautenberg and then won
status as America's poten- a full Senate term in 2014.
tial second black president He will be able to run for
after Barack Obama. a second full Senate term
"I believe that we can U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-NJ, leaves ABC studios in New York after an appearance on The View, in 2020 while running for
build a country where no Friday, Feb. 1, 2019. president, thanks to a law
one is forgotten, no one is Associated Press that New Jersey's governor
left behind; where parents signed in November.
can put food on the table; "It is not a matter of can run. But he's spent months ers. He spoke in fluent Span- But that doesn't mean the
where there are good-pay- we, it's a matter of do we telegraphing his intentions ish during his interview with 49-year-old lawmaker's
ing jobs with good benefits have the collective will, the to join the race, visiting the Univision, vowing to work path to the nomination will
in every neighborhood; American will?" he added. early-voting states of Iowa, closely with "the Latino be easy. As many as five
where our criminal justice "I believe we do." New Hampshire and South community," and discussed more Democratic sena-
system keeps us safe, in- Booker enters what's shap- Carolina to build connec- his support for marijuana tors could soon mount their
stead of shuffling more chil- ing up to be a crowded tions with key powerbro- legalization in another in- own primary bids, creating
dren into cages and coffins; presidential primary, with kers. He already has slated terview. a competition for voters'
where we see the faces of three of his fellow Demo- trips back to those states A former mayor of Newark, attention, and several of
our leaders on television cratic senators — Elizabeth later this month. New Jersey's largest city, Booker's rival presidential
and feel pride, not shame," Warren of Massachusetts, Booker began reaching Booker spoke to reporters hopefuls bring higher name
Booker said in a video mes- Kamala Harris of California out to key constituencies outside his home there on recognition to a race that
sage to supporters, subtly and Kirsten Gillibrand of on Friday, calling in to three Friday and acknowledged may also feature popular
jabbing at President Don- New York — already either radio shows popular with that his optimistic tone may former Vice President Joe
ald Trump. declared or exploring a black and Hispanic listen- not resonate with some Biden.q

Virginia governor apologizes for

racist imagery in yearbook

which costume he was Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, who The yearbook images were
wearing. is African-American, would first published by the con-
"This behavior is not in assume the governor's of- servative news outlet Big
keeping with who I am to- fice. League Politics. An Associ-
day and the values I have For now, Northam's close ated Press reporter saw the
fought for throughout my allies haven't said anything yearbook page and con-
career in the military, in publicly. Democratic Sen. firmed its authenticity at
medicine, and in public Jennifer McClellan, a well- the medical school.
service. But I want to be known African-American Northam, a folksy pediatric
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam prepares to address a news con- clear, I understand how this lawmaker from Richmond, neurologist who is personal
ference at the Capitol in Richmond, Va., Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019. decision shakes Virginians' just shook her head when friends with many GOP law-
Associated Press faith in that commitment," approached by a reporter makers, has recently come
he said. seeking comment. under fire from Republicans
By ALAN SUDERMAN The revelation of the pho- Republican state Sen. Bryce The Virginian-Pilot obtained who have accused him of
Associated Press tograph prompted some Reeves said in a statement a copy of the photo Friday backing infanticide after
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Vir- Republicans to call for that Northam should resign from Eastern Virginia Medi- he said he supported a bill
ginia Gov. Ralph Northam his resignation. Northam if the reports of the photos cal School library, which loosening restrictions on
acknowledged Friday that quickly apologized. are accurate. Northam attended. The late-term abortions. Last
he appears in a photo on The Democratic governor "I hope that this picture is photo shows two people week, Florida's secretary of
his 1984 medical school confirmed in a statement inaccurate and that the looking at the camera — state resigned after photos
yearbook page that shows that he was in the photo Governor brings clarity to one in blackface wearing from a 2005 Halloween par-
a person in blackface and wearing a costume "that this issue. This has no place a hat, bow tie and plaid ty showed him in blackface
another wearing a Ku Klux is clearly racist and offen- in Virginia," Reeves said. pants; the other in white while dressed as a Hurri-
Klan robe. sive." Northam did not say If Northam were to resign, Klan robes. cane Katrina victim.q