A candidate for Essex County Sheriff has joined forces with Ron Rice, a city councilman seeking to become Congressman for the 10th District.
John Arnold, who has filed to run in the June 5 primary, will be part of a recently formed slate, “Essex County Independent Democrats,” the Arnold campaign has announced. Rice’s campaign confirmed the endorsement.
“The Essex County Independent Democrats represents a forge of leadership that is about seeking healthy solutions and putting them into action,” Arnold said in a statement.
Among the slate's supporters are Newark council members Ras Baraka and Darrin Sharif.
Arnold, a retired captain with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, squares off in the June primary against Armando Fontoura, who has served as sheriff since 1990. Rice is seeking the election to the seat formerly held by Donald Payne Sr., who served in Congress from 1989 until his death early last month at the age of 77.
Among Rice's challengers are Payne's son, Donald Jr., who also sits on the Newark Municipal Council as its president.
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