Booker Gets More from Wall Street Than Any Member of Congress

Sen. Cory Booker received $1.87 million from the securities and investment industry, making him the top recipient of Wall Street money this election cycle, according to federal election donations analyzed by the Center for Responsive Politics.

The Center's Viveca Novak said that this flow of money is surprising for a freshman Senator. 

“Wall Street actually used to give more to Democrats, but in more recent years has been favoring the Republicans a lot more,” Novak said. “So for Booker to draw so much money from that industry is unusual.”

Republican Mitch McConnell got the second highest draw from Wall Street – $1.26 million.

“That’s an interesting juxtaposition with Mitch McConnell being number two,” she said. “Very, very different legislator, obviously, and Cory Booker is way ahead of him.”

Booker also received more money from real estate groups than any other member, as well as more from the entertainment and tech industries, accountants, and groups considered to be pro-Israel.

“For him to be ranked at the top of so many categories is pretty remarkable,” Novak said.  

According to the Center for Responsive Politics, the donations took place during the 2013-2014 election cycle and were released by the Federal Election Commission on Oct. 25, 2014. 

Unlike other members, Booker had two races this election cycle. The first was to finish the term of the late Frank Lautenberg. In all, he raised close to $18 million.