Newark, NJ – Newark Mayor Ras Baraka is positioning himself as a leading progressive candidate in the Democratic primary to succeed Governor Phil Murphy, proposing a series of policies that push the state’s political agenda further left than Murphy’s administration. Baraka’s campaign promises include ambitious initiatives like reparations, sanctuary state laws, baby bonds, and universal basic income, aiming to redefine New Jersey’s future.
During a Tuesday night event at Rowan University, Mayor Baraka outlined his vision, advocating for affordable housing, reparations, baby bonds, desegregating schools, and imposing higher taxes on corporations and the wealthy. His proposals signal a significant shift towards more progressive policies, suggesting that his administration would increase taxes and government oversight to support these initiatives. Baraka criticized the current administration’s pace of progress, indicating his readiness to accelerate change.
Mayor Baraka, serving as Newark’s mayor since 2014, has a track record of supporting progressive causes, such as a universal basic income pilot program, the creation of a civilian complaint review board to oversee police misconduct, and lowering the voting age to 16 for school board elections. He affirmed Newark’s status as a sanctuary city and likened the importance of maintaining this status to the fundamental values of democracy.
Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, another contender in the Democratic primary for governor, also aligns with Baraka’s progressive stance. Fulop’s campaign includes proposals for increasing corporate taxes to fund public services and overhauling the state’s tax system to better support families, healthcare, and transportation. While specifics on addressing the state’s racial wealth gap remain broad, Baraka identifies reparations as a key area for discussion, indicating a progressive shift in the Democratic candidates’ approach to governance.
The emergence of candidates like Baraka and Fulop, who propose far-reaching progressive policies, presents a stark contrast to the current political landscape and could significantly impact the upcoming gubernatorial race.