Sen. Cory Booker Swears In Friend To Municipal Council In Bergen Co.

GLEN ROCK, NJ — When state Sen. Cory Booker's lifelong friend Paula Gilligan told him she had decided to run for Glen Rock council, he said he had gotten emotional. He endorsed Gilligan during the race, and on Friday, he had the "privilege" to swear her in as the borough's newest council member.

"Gilligan is like family to me," Booker said. "I am so excited for her to serve. She resonates with the frequency of kindness, sacrifice and selflessness that we need in America."

He had joined his friend to administer the oath of office at the council's reorganization meeting, attended by local residents and elected officials, including District 38 representatives.

Booker endorsed Gilligan and incumbent Democrat Teresa Gilbreath, who ran together, in a video shared to the then-candidates' YouTube channel.

"I love this dynamic duo," the junior senator said in the video. "These are the kinds of local leaders that make me celebrate our state, and I hope that you will go out and vote for (them)."

Gilbreath was sworn in to her second term by District 38 Assemblywoman Lisa Swain, who referred to the reelected council member as "organized, smart and articulate."

"In the time you have served," Swain said to Gilbreath, "you have touched everything. You have crossed every 't' and dotted every 'i,' and I know that everything in Glen Rock is running smoothly because of your efforts."

With the election of Gilligan, in succession of former councilman Rob Dill who did not seek reelection, six of seven council members are women. A representative from Women's Empowerment Democratic Organization presented Gilligan and Gilbreath with achievement certificates at the meeting.

"I admire Gilligan's commitment to serve Glen Rock and bring about new initiatives and perspectives," said Mayor Kristine Morieko, who endorsed her and Gilbreath. "I (also) look forward to seeing more great work from (Gilbreath) in her next term."