New Jersey Democratic Senate nominee Cory Booker says he embraces the ongoing speculation that he's gay.
"People who think I’m gay, some part of me thinks it’s wonderful," the Newark mayor told
The Washington Post. "I want to challenge people on their homophobia."
Booker says he loves seeing commentary on Twitter saying that he's gay. "So what does it matter if I am? So be it. I hope you are not voting for me because you are making the presumption that I’m straight."
Booker says he does regret that "I have not settled down with a life partner." He cited an instance from early in his tenure as mayor, when, dismayed with Newark's numerous murders, he contacted a pastor friend to describe his unhappiness. The pastor's advice: "you need to get married."
Booker says he began dating more after that. But rumors that he took out Arianna Huffington, founder of The Huffington Post, are untrue, he says.
He hasn't talked about his dates out of respect for the women, Booker says. "How unfair is it to a young lady to put them in the spotlight if they haven’t signed up for that yet?" he said.
Booker is a
heavy favorite in the Senate election against Republican Steve Lonegan Oct. 16.
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