Ellington

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Democrat Cory Booker has won a special election to represent New Jersey in the U.S. Senate and pledges "not to play shallow politics."

The victory gives the rising political star a bigger stage after a race against conservative Steve Lonegan.

The first reaction from the social-media savvy mayor of Newark came on Twitter. He said, "Thank you so much, New Jersey, I'm proud to be your Senator-elect."

Booker gave a speech later to supporters in Newark and spoke as he often does of the unity of the American people.

He says he's going to Washington "to engage in the kind of hard, humble service that reaches out to others."