School Board Member to Seek Newark Council Seat

A 25-year-old member of the Newark Public School Advisory Board has announced his intention to seak one of four at-large seats on the Newark Municipal Council in 2014.

Marques-Aquil Lewis said he plans to seek a spot on the nine-member council  so that “young people get the seat they deserve at the table.”

A married father of a young son, Lewis was first elected to the school advisory board when he was just 21 and was re-elected last year. The lifelong Newarker and Arts High graduate, who now resides in the West Ward, said he is an independent-minded candidate who ran without the blessing of Newark kingmaker Stephen Adubato. He also notes that he never voted for a school budget calling for a reduction in staff.

“No one can buy Marques Lewis and I have shown that as a school board member,” he said. 

Lewis, a minister at New Light Missionary Baptist Church and employed with the city’s parking authority, also said he would work to expand job opportunities for Newark residents, seek to offer more recreation options to city youth and provide more services for seniors.