It was Booker’s first in-person event in his home state since his speech this week, where he held the Senate floor for 25 hours and 5 minutes in opposition to Trump’s policies. In doing so, he broke the record for the longest floor speech, which was set by segregationist Sen. Strom Thurmond in opposition to the Civil Rights Act of 1957.

Hailed by many as a returning hero, U.S. Sen. and Bergen County native Cory Booker held a town hall at Bergen Community College for over 1,000 people.

First off, it was not a filibuster. But Booker's historic 25-hour speech broke the Senate record, and was a startling challenge to Trump’s agenda

After breaking the Senate record for longest floor speech, Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., gave an innocuous answer about whether he sees himself as the Democratic Party’s next leader.

Sen. Cory Booker’s (D-N.J.) record-breaking Senate speech this week is putting him squarely in the political spotlight as Democrats wonder whether he could be a presidential contender in 2028. Booker’s 25-hour speech aimed at combating President Trump’s moves in the White House gave Democrats a boost,

After breaking the Senate record for longest speech, Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey, gave an innocuous answer on whether he sees himself as the Democratic Party’s next leader. (Credit: Nicholas Ballas