With mom by his side, Booker signs paperwork declaring candidacy for president

Sen. Cory BookerCory Anthony BookerRand Paul introduces bill to end no-knock warrants Black lawmakers unveil bill to remove Confederate statues from Capitol Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk MORE (D-N.J.) on Friday signed the paperwork declaring his candidacy for president with his mother by his side after he announced his 2020 bid.

Matt Klapper, a senior adviser for Booker’s campaign, shared a video of the senator signing the documents while standing at a kitchen counter.

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His mother, Carolyn Booker, was next to him with a hand on his shoulder.

“Alright, here we go,” Booker said as he wrote his name. “The paperwork is signed. I am official.”

“Official for what, sir?” someone asked.

“Official for running for president,” Booker responded with a laugh.

“Can’t take it back now,” a voice behind the camera said. “Somebody grab that before he rips it up.”

The video was viewed more than 113,000 times in the hours after Booker released his first campaign video on Friday.

“The history of our nation is defined by collective action; by interwoven destinies of slaves and abolitionists; of those born here and those who chose America as home; of those who took up arms to defend our country, and those who linked arms to challenge and change it,” Booker said in the campaign video, walking around the community of Newark, N.J., where he previously served as mayor. 

The announcement, made on the first day of Black History Month, follows months of speculation on whether Booker would join the crowded field of Democratic contenders vying to take on President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE.

The New Jersey Democrat, 49, is up against the more than half dozen U.S. senators who have declared they are running or are seriously considering a bid.

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Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) have all launched campaigns. 

Other senators who have indicated interest in running for the Democratic nomination in 2020 include Sens. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE (I-Vt.), Amy KlobucharAmy KlobucharHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Democrats demand Republican leaders examine election challenges after Georgia voting chaos Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk MORE (D-Minn.) and Michael BennetMichael Farrand BennetSome realistic solutions for income inequality Democratic senators kneel during moment of silence for George Floyd 21 senators urge Pentagon against military use to curb nationwide protests MORE (D-Colo.). Sanders is reportedly preparing to launch a campaign that he’ll announce soon. 

Also running are Rep. Tulsi GabbardTulsi GabbardGabbard drops defamation lawsuit against Clinton It’s as if a Trump operative infiltrated the Democratic primary process 125 lawmakers urge Trump administration to support National Guard troops amid pandemic MORE (D-Hawaii), former Rep. John DelaneyJohn DelaneyThe Hill’s Coronavirus Report: Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas says country needs to rethink what ‘policing’ means; US cases surpass 2 million with no end to pandemic in sight Minnesota AG Keith Ellison says racism is a bigger problem than police behavior; 21 states see uptick in cases amid efforts to reopen The Hill’s Coronavirus Report: Singapore Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan says there will be consequences from fraying US-China relations; WHO walks back claims on asymptomatic spread of virus MORE (D-Md.), former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro and Pete Buttigieg, mayor of South Bend, Ind.

Booker, if elected, would be the first unmarried man elected to White House since 1884.