Baraka Supports Quintana for Interim Mayor

Newark Council President Luis Quintana picked up another endorsement Thursday to serve as interim mayor of the city and the first Latino to serve in that post ever.

“I am proud to announce my support for Council President Luis Quintana to become interim mayor of Newark. In choosing Luis Quintana as Newark’s first Latino mayor, we will be making history as well as recognizing the rising influence of the Latino Community in our city,” said South Ward Councilman Ras Baraka. “ More important, the city council will be choosing an experienced and knowledgeable man who is the longest serving member of our city council.”

Newark will need an interim mayor to serve until mayoral elections next May after current Mayor Cory Booker won a special election for US Senate Oct. 16. He will be sworn in to the Senate Oct. 31.

Quintana was named council president by the council several weeks ago, replacing Donald Payne Jr., who also left the governing body after winning election to Congress last November.

Baraka’s endorsement comes just days after Booker predicted Quintana would be chosen to fill the interim slot.

Baraka is one of four candidates seeking to become mayor next year. The others are Baraka’s council colleagues Anibal Ramos and Darrin Sharif, as well as Shavar Jeffries, a former president of the Newark Schools Advisory Board.