U.S. Senator Cory Booker’s Jersey Summer Road Trip, an annual tradition dating back to the senator’s first election in 2013, came to an end today with events in Princeton and Newark, the city Booker once led as mayor.

“I’m filled with gratitude and Jersey pride as I end my 2023 summer road trip,” Booker said. “Every year, I learn more about our state and spend time with extraordinary New Jerseyans – humble heroes in our midst who serve their communities. It’s an honor to represent New Jersey in the U.S. Senate, and my conversations over the past few days will stay with me as I continue to fight for our state in Washington.”

This year’s road trip, which as always was designed to hit each of New Jersey’s 21 counties, began last Friday in Bergen County, where Booker and Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Wyckoff) announced legislation to boost funding for fentanyl test strips. That same day, Booker went to Warren County Community College to highlight congressional funding for the college’s agricultural technology project, and to Elizabeth in Union County to talk about programs improving air quality for underserved communities.

On Saturday, Booker marched in the Jersey City Pride Parade alongside a bevy of Hudson County politicians; got vegan ice cream at Cookman Creamery in Monmouth County’s Asbury Park; and met with farmers at the Sparta Farmers Market in Sussex County.

Sunday began with church services at the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens in Somerset County’s Franklin Township, followed by a visit to the Reo Diner in Middlesex County’s Woodbridge with Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-Woodbridge).

Monday included stops in four counties: the Camden County Correctional Facility to discuss mental health treatment for incarcerated individuals; the Hunterdon County Emergency Services Training Center to speak with first responders; George Washington’s Headquarters Museum in Morristown to go over plans for America’s semiquincentennial with Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair); and a preschool in the city of Passaic to talk about increasing child care funding with Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-Paterson).

Tuesday was all about South Jersey, with visits to Atlantic County’s Somers Point for a veterans town hall, Burlington County’s Mount Laurel for a Chamber of Commerce of Southern New Jersey breakfast, Gloucester County’s Clayton to discuss funding secured for the local fire department, and Salem County’s Elmer for a stop at a local potato farm.

On Thursday, Booker toured small businesses in Cape May City, announced federal agriculture funding in Cumberland County’s Lawrence Township, and visited public housing for seniors in Ocean County’s Brick Township.

Finally, Booker spent today headlining a community violence intervention summit in Essex County with Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D-Newark) and members of the New Jersey Urban Mayors Association, and participating in a roundtable discussion in Mercer County with Princeton business leaders.