Newark Mayor Cory Booker says that Stephen Sweeney (D-West Deptford) will be the next Senate President and has endorsed Sheila Oliver (D-East Orange) for Assembly Speaker.

Earlier today, Richard Codey (D-Roseland) issued a statement announcing that Booker has endorsed his re-election as Senate President, along with thirteen other Democratic mayors from Essex County.  Booker offered praise of Codey's service, but acknowledged that Sweeney has the votes to win.

"For his entire career Dick Codey has been a true champion of New Jersey and the city of Newark. And for my short career as mayor he has been an honorable friend and invaluable ally. It is clear to me that the question of who will be our next senate president has been settled," Booker said in an e-mail to PolitickerNJ.com. "We are all Democrats and it is time to come together and work on the important issues facing our state and each individual municipality and also ensure that Governor Jon Corzine is re-elected. I look forward to working with Senator Sweeney in his new role and am confident that he too will be a champion of New Jersey and the city of Newark."

Booker made it clear that he is backing Oliver, an ally of Newark Democratic leader Stephen Adubato, Sr., for Speaker.

"What remains unsettled is the question of who will be the Assembly Speaker. I have no vote in this matter, but to the degree that I am able I will be a strong advocate for Sheila Oliver," Booker said.  "Her ascendancy to this position will not only be historic as the first African American woman to hold this seat but much more importantly, she is a qualified public servant who will provide critical leadership for our state during these challenging times.

"Sheila Oliver is a person of profound abilities and has the work ethic and unifying spirit necessary to pull our state together to focus on the important issues before us," said Booker.