Baraka, Sharif Back Rice for Congress

Two members of the Newark Municipal Council have endorsed their colleague Ron Rice for Congress, passing over another fellow council member, Donald Payne Jr., who is also seeking to be the Democratic nominee in the 10th District race.

South Ward Councilman Ras Baraka and Central Ward Councilman Darrin Sharif have both thrown their support behind Rice, who represents the West Ward.

“We are formally endorsing Ron Rice to represent us in Congress. We believe he is the only candidate in this race with a true vision for the future of Newark and the 10th district as a whole,” Baraka and Sharif said in a statement released today by the Rice campaign. “We are supporting his candidacy in every way we can to send him to Washington to strengthen Congress and continue the fight for Democratic ideals, and to be a vanguard in support of our President, Barack Obama.”

Baraka confirmed the endorsement in an interview with The Star Ledger.

The seat was held by Donald Payne Sr. until his death earlier this month at the age of 77. The longtime Congressman is the father of Payne Jr., the president of the Newark Municipal Council. 

Irvington Mayor Wayne Smith and Nia Gill, the state senator for the 34th District, are also seeking the seat.