Two Council Colleagues Endorse Baraka for Mayor

South Ward Councilman and mayoral candidate Ras Baraka has received endorsements from fellow council members Mildred Crump and Ron Rice, Baraka’s campaign announced this week.

“I have worked with Ras and seen his ability to inspire students, parents, and teachers, business and labor leaders, ministers, university, hospital and non-profit executives, and his fellow politicians to work together for the betterment of this city,” Crump, who holds an at-large seat on the council, said in a statement.

“I endorse Ras Baraka for his experience as a leader in education, his ability to inspire hope, and his vision for the future of Newark. Ras’s broad range of experience and his ability to organize a movement to revitalize Newark make him uniquely qualified to be mayor,” said Rice, who represents the West Ward.

The eight members of the governing body have generally been in broad agreement on issues facing the governing body over the past year. But the council split last November over Mayor Cory Booker’s attempt to fill a vacancy on the council created when Donald Payne Jr. was elected to Congress.

Baraka, Crump, Rice and Darrin Sharif - who just announced his own bid for mayor in 2014 -- were opposed to the appointment. Anibal Ramos -- another candidate for mayor -- and the remaining three council members were in favor. The appointment was overturned in court and a special election is being held in November to fill the seat.