Corey Booker wins US Senate race in New Jersey

Newark Mayor and U.S. Senate candidate Cory Booker leaves a polling station after casting his ballot during the Senate primary election in Newark, New Jersey, October 16, 2013

Story by NBC News
Written by Jessica L. Taylor

Newark Mayor Cory Booker will soon be headed to Washington as the next New Jersey senator.

The Democratic nominee easily bested Republican Steve Lonegan in Wednesday’s special election to succeed the late Frank Lautenberg. With 52 percent of the vote in, Booker led with 55 to 44 percent, according to The Associated Press, which called the race for Booker.

The famous mayor, who has touted his ability to bring people together while growing his own social media presence and popularity, will head to a polarized Washington where he’s certain to be a rising star within the Democratic Party and another outsized presence in D.C.

In his victory speech late on Wednesday, Booker thanked New Jersey voters, his campaign staff and the volunteers "who knocked on doors." The senator-elect also promised to be dogged and determined in Washington, where he said he will not get involved in "shallow politics," but would instead engage "in the kind of hard, humble service that reaches out to others."