NEWARK, NJ — Gubernatorial candidate and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka’s campaign has directed more than $500,000 to a consulting firm owned by his brother in 2025 alone, according to recent campaign finance disclosures.
Filings show that the firm, Bottom Up, collected roughly $529,200 this year for consulting services. In 2024, it was paid $46,000 for voter outreach efforts. As of May 9, Baraka’s campaign has reported a total of $4.8 million in expenditures.
This comes weeks after it was reported that Common Sense Club, a non-profit political group founded by GOP candidate Bill Spadea paid the candidate $250,000 through an LLC called BillSpadea.Com LLC.
Bottom Up also played a role in Baraka’s 2022 mayoral re-election, receiving over $77,000 for voter mobilization. That election saw low participation, with only 17,784 out of 160,298 registered voters casting ballots—a turnout rate of about 11%, based on figures from the Essex County Clerk’s Office.
While the campaign declined to issue a formal response about the payments, Baraka addressed the arrangement at a recent public forum in Maplewood.
Baraka addresses payments at campaign event
Speaking at the event, Baraka said his brother’s firm has long been involved in campaign work and that the decision to hire him reflects trust and familiarity.
“My brother has a firm where he hires people to work on campaigns. Obviously, that’s going to happen,” Baraka said. “He’s my brother. I trust him. He’s loyal. He fights in the street. He’s going to continue to do that.”
Though political candidates are permitted to hire relatives or their companies, the amount paid and the family connection have drawn public interest. There are no current allegations of wrongdoing or violations of campaign finance laws.
Baraka is one of several Democrats positioning for the 2025 gubernatorial race, where campaign finances and transparency are expected to be closely watched.