Jon Bon Jovi helps struggling Cory Booker meet donor threshold for Novemeber Democratic debate: 'Right leader for this moment'
Democratic Presidential candidate Cory Booker was able to reach the donor threshold required to qualify for the November Democratic debate on Sunday, September 29, largely due to the help and support of his friend, rock star Jon Bon Jovi.
Last week, the musician sent a letter requesting donations to the supporters of Booker, explaining why he personally thought the New Jersey senator - who is struggling to make it as one of the frontrunners of the 2020 Presidential race - would make a great POTUS. A copy of the letter was tweeted out by DC Examiner reporter Emily Larsen.
“We’re deeply divided in a way we haven’t been in a long time,” Bon Jovi wrote in the letter. “I believe we need to respond with a strong call for unity and a renewed sense of shared purpose. I can’t think of anyone better than Cory Booker to rise to the challenge. He is the right leader for this moment.”
He added: “To put it simply, I think Cory Booker is a great man who would do an amazing job in the White House. I’m lucky to call him a friend, and all of us would be lucky to call him our president.”
Bon Jovi's friendship with Booker goes back to the time when the latter was the mayor of Newark. The "It's My Life" singer hosted a Booker fundraiser in the Hamptons in August and paired up with Governor Phil Murphy to host another one in Red Bank in March.
“When I was mayor, Jon helped to build a lot of homes in Newark, including a lot of supportive housing for people with HIV and AIDS,” Booker told USA TODAY Network New Jersey in 2016. “I talk to policy people in housing — he’s probably one of the most knowledgeable people I know about housing. He’s so loyal to New Jersey in quiet way that people don’t know, helping thousands and thousands of people.”
Booker said recently that while he had "crossed the threshold to make the November debates of 165,000 unique donors" he still needed help with his campaign. Presidential hopefuls need to raise money from 165,000 separate donors, which has to include a minimum of 600 donors in at least 20 states or territories to qualify.