On October 16, 2013, he defeated Republican Steve Lonegan in the general election, 54.9% to 44.0%.[98] Booker was the first African-American to be elected to the Senate since Barack Obama in 2004.[99][100][101][102] The night before his victory, Booker visited the gravesite of Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, offering prayers and lighting a vigil candle in memory of his father.[103][104]