WASHINGTON — Cory Booker has no problem talking about people who think he's gay.

It's not a new issue, as rumors have circulated about Newark's mayor for years. For those who have followed him, either on the campaign trail for U.S. Senate or on Twitter, Booker took a familiar route in a recent Washington Post interview, responding not with an answer about his sexual orientation but with an answer about people's curiosity about it.

His comments were that he doesn't care what people think.

"And people who think I'm gay, some part of me thinks it's wonderful. Because I want to challenge people on their homophobia. I love seeing on Twitter when someone says I'm gay, and I say, 'So what does it matter if I am? So be it. I hope you are not voting for me because you are making the presumption that I'm straight.'"

Steve Lonegan, Booker's Republican challenger, was asked about the interview and Booker's use of the term "life partner" when describing his single status.

"It's kind of weird. As a guy, I personally like being a guy," he said.