According to the reports, voters in poverty- and crime-mired Newark, N. J., Tuesday decided it was best to keep Mayor Cory A. Booker on the job.

The New York Times has reported that Booker bested three other challengers, garnering 59 percent of the vote. Clifford J. Minor was second at 35 percent.

The Times further said that Booker will continue to have a friendly city council to work with, as well. At least seven of his allies on the nine-member council also won.

The Times quoted Booker as telling his supporters after the victory. "Newark is going to continue to rise."

The city "has great days ahead" but "has a mountain to climb to create an economy that serves all of its' people," the 41-year-old mayor said. (With Inputs from Agencies)