New Jersey Mayor's Strong Showing In Primary Gives Progressives Hope: 'Not The End'

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — “This isn’t the end.” This was the pledge from Newark Mayor Ras Baraka on the day after New Jersey’s primary election for governor – during which he nailed down more than 160,000 votes.

U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill has been declared the winner of the Democratic primary, and former state assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli has been declared the Republican winner.

Baraka – who ran on a “progressive” campaign slate – carried more votes than Sherrill in their home county (Baraka is a Newark resident and Sherrill hails from Montclair).

As of Thursday – with 97 percent of districts reported – Baraka had received the most votes among Essex County Democrats (35,308), followed by Sherrill (29,427), Steven Fulop (11,651), Josh Gottheimer (5,890), Sean Spiller (4,436) and Steve Sweeney (719).

In all, Baraka saw about 40 percent of the Democratic votes in Essex County, compared to Sherrill, who earned around 33 percent. Fulop came in third at 13 percent.

Ultimately, the effort wasn’t enough for Baraka, who placed second in the Democratic race, according to uncertified results from the Associated Press. However, Baraka’s strong showing in the primary election has proven one thing, the mayor said in his post-Election Night speech: voters are getting tired of the status quo when it comes to big party politics in New Jersey.

“These bosses – their days are over,” Baraka said.

The mayor made a reference to the end of the “party line” on primary ballots, saying that the controversial balloting layout is “finished” after a court ruling last year. See Related: Demise Of ‘The Line’: Essex County Politicos React To Landmark Ruling

“They no longer can pick candidates for us,” Baraka told attendees at his post-election event. “People are going to speak for themselves. They're going to organize for themselves. They're going to raise their own dollars. They will fight for the issues that they believe in for themselves.”

“So all of you folks who believe that you got a reprieve – you got another thing coming,” he added.

Baraka leaned heavily on his reputation as a “progressive” candidate during his campaign for governor, making his presence felt at rallies, protests and other left-leaning political gatherings across North Jersey.

Baraka was one of the first gubernatorial candidates to announce his run for the highest office in New Jersey, breaking the news at a Black History Month event in Trenton last year.

After launching his governor campaign, Baraka continued to hammer on themes of inequality and social justice, releasing a plan to tackle the state’s housing crisis and blasting controversial changes to the state’s public records access laws. He is also a staunch opponent of a new ICE immigrant detention facility that is being opened in Newark – the first under President Donald Trump’s second term.

Meanwhile, Baraka has been campaigning on the protest circuit, attending rallies against expanding the NJ Turnpike, building a new power plant in Newark, and making potential cuts to the state budget.

“Everyday people are getting on board with the idea that a fairer, more equitable New Jersey is possible and it’s what we deserve,” Baraka said.

• See Related: Ras Baraka Pushes Progressive As His NJ Governor Bid Heats Up
• See Related: Baraka Says He Will Lift 'Working People' If Elected As NJ Governor

Along the way, Baraka attracted support from several left-leaning advocacy groups, including New Jersey Citizen Action – which congratulated the mayor on running a “bold, visionary and deeply resonant campaign” in 2025.

“From day one, this was more than just a political campaign,” New Jersey Citizen Action executive director Dena Mottola Jaborska said.

“It was a movement rooted in justice, equity, and a real commitment to the needs of working-class communities, especially Black and brown New Jerseyans who have long been excluded from power,” Jaborska said.

“The campaign he built is not going away,” Jaborska urged. “It is transformative and it represents a powerful and growing voting bloc that is ready to reimagine a democracy that finally works for all of us.”

“We congratulate Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill on her victory and urge her to take seriously the issues and concerns that inspired so many to support Ras Baraka,” Jaborska added.

Another progressive advocacy group, Make the Road Action New Jersey, called Baraka’s campaign “powerful,” lauding its focus on a $21 per hour minimum wage, a statewide rent cap, “health care for all,” and a progressive tax system that “ensures that the wealthy pay their fair share.”

“The more than 160,000 votes for Ras Baraka shows us that his platform and vision must be taken seriously,” said Jenny Llugcha, organizer with Make the Road Action New Jersey.

“Although Mayor Baraka did not win the primary, we have strengthened our resolve to reimagine New Jersey, and set a clear path for others to join our broad-based coalition that fights for working families and will defeat the MAGA agenda come November,” Llugcha said.

• See Related: Ras Baraka Sues Feds After Controversial Arrest Outside ICE Prison

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