Sea Bright Republican Councilman Jeff Booker made history as the first African-American man to assume the oath of office in his hometown after winning his 2020 election.

Veterans of the New Jersey political scene know Booker as a longstanding operative, campaign manager and political consigliere.

2021 represents his first foray into elected office.

“For the better part of the last 20 years I have been involved in Republican politics,” Booker told InsiderNJ in a Sunday evening zoom interview. “After being the cut man in the corner, this past year I put the gloves on and got in the ring. It was interesting to absorb and put into practice all the advice I’ve given over the years.”

Originally a South Jerseyan, Booker moved to Sea Bright last year.

“I was well received and enjoyed the town very much and being able to step in and get plugged in and meet lots of folks, including our restaurant owners, and getting tied into the fabric of our town,” said the councilman.

“We still live in a country where opportunity exists for people who want to take advantage of it,” he added.

The late Cecile Norton was the first African American to serve on Sea Bright’s local governing body. She served as the town’s mayor for nearly two decades.

To see the entirety of Councilman Booker’s interview, where he considers the impact of COVID-19 on Sea Bright’s celebrated business district, 2021 gubernatorial politics, and his reaction to the loss and to the legacy of the era of President Donald J. Trump, please see the video below: