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They're reportedly trying to keep their relationship on the D.L.
By Sloane Solomon — Written on Feb 06, 2019
Senator Cory Booker is now officially one of the many throwing their hat in the ring ahead of the 2020 United States presidential election. On February 1, the former mayor of Newark, New Jersey announced that he will campaign to run for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States.
Although Booker, the first African-American U.S. Senator from New Jersey, was already well known to the public during his tenure as the Mayor of Newark from 2006-2013, less is known about his personal life, including details about his girlfriend, Chanda Gibson.
Although the Senator and his main-squeeze have known each other for many years, not many of us knew he had a girlfriend, as Booker apparently prefers keeping a tight lid on his relationships and off-duty time.
So who is Cory Booker's girlfriend?
Here are the details we know about his extremely secretive relationship with Chanda Gibson.
1. They've had a longtime on-and-off relationship.
Booker and Gibson have known each other since 2002. He was getting ready to become the Mayor of Newark, and she was working with Booker on his first mayoral campaign at the time.
A source revealed that they'd actually been seeing each other romantically as well on-and-off for several years. The source said, “He’s been dating her on and off for years."
2. Gibson's sister introduced her to Booker.
In a recent interview, Gibson disclosed that she actually met Booker through her sister.
"Around that time my sister introduced me to Senator Cory Booker, who was getting ready to run for Newark mayor. Cory became a kind of spiritual adviser on those days when I would say 'What am I doing with my life?' One day, he said: 'If you want to do something you believe in, quit your job and come help me run for Mayor.'"
3. She has a law degree.
Gibson earned her B.A. in Political Science and African-American Studies from Stanford University. She then went on to obtain a law degree from the University of Southern California.
While at Stanford, she also won a scholarship in which she was able to travel to a country of her choice for a year to study.
4. She has two sons.
Gibson is the mother of two boys. She's separated from her children's father, who lives in another city. In an interview, Gibson opened up about her family.
"Even though the boys are being raised by a working mom and dad that live in two different cities with no family nearby, we ensure they are surrounded by love whenever we are together for 'family time' and our friends are all their aunts, uncles, grandmas, etc. I love how open and adaptable our somewhat unconventional life is making them, but I do wish mom and dad lived closer to each other and our families."
5. She has a successful career.
In addition to working on Booker's campaign, Gibson has held many other titles. She worked at Goldman Sachs for 14 years and was also the Chief Operating Officer of the Employee Resource Group for six years. Gibson's current position is as the Executive Director for the Council of Urban Professionals.
She has commented before on some of her various professional passions.
"At Goldman, I found my voice as a professional of color. I spent six years as the COO of the Employee Resource Group for black professionals. It was there I realized I had a passion for diversity and inclusion work, and an opportunity to make meaningful impact by building authentic opportunities for connection and learning."
6. Booker wants to keep their relationship a secret.
The senator reportedly told Gibson that he wants their relationship to remain private.
"No one could understand why he told her their relationship is secret,” stated a source. Gibson herself is also not willing to comment on whether or not her and Booker are really a couple.
7. Could Booker be in a relationship with someone else?
The senator has also recently been linked to author and poet Cleo Wade.
Booker was at the launch for Wade's new book and the author also credited him in her acknowledgments. He also mentioned her book on his Twitter. However, neither Wade nor Booker have ever confirmed that they have a romantic relationship.
Sloane Solomon writes for YourTango, covering pop culture, news, lifestyle, love and relationships.