Newark Mayor winner?
$20.1K
MAY 13, 2026
General Election
Voters choose the office holder.
Overview
Current roleEducator
Political ideologyProgressive Independent
LocationNew Jersey
BackgroundEducator
Notable personal detailsDebra L. Salters is a Newark, New Jersey educator, activist, and community advocate who ran for mayor of Newark in the May 12, 2026 nonpartisan municipal election. She has also run for New Jersey General Assembly (District 29) in 2021 and sought office in Newark school board elections in 2024. She has described her work as focused on education equity and community advocacy in Newark, including substitute teaching and local civic involvement.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports restoring annual homeowner tax rebates and revisiting tax and water rates; advocates fiscal transparency and cutting excessive municipal salaries to redirect funds to city services; prioritizes economic development that creates jobs and truly affordable housing.
Healthcare
Supports ensuring city workers have a comprehensive health plan that provides adequate care and reduces financial burden. Position emphasizes expanding access and affordability for municipal employees rather than proposing privatization or repeal of public programs.
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Immigration & Border
The candidate has identified "immigration reform" as a priority and has expressed concern about border monitoring and perceived lack of consequences for migrants, indicating support for stronger enforcement-oriented changes rather than expanded protections. Her campaign platform does not include detailed immigration policy proposals.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Has expressed that abortions are not contraception; her campaign website and platform do not present a detailed policy or clear position on abortion or reproductive rights. Available public materials show at least one forum remark on abortion but no comprehensive policy statement.
Climate & Energy
Supports local environmental actions such as planting more trees and neighborhood cleanup and has described flooding in the district as a consequence of climate change, but does not present specific climate or energy policies (e.g., emissions targets, clean energy investments, carbon pricing, or fossil-fuel phase-out plans).
News
Debra Salters is in the news as one of the challengers in Newarkâs mayoral race. The contest is drawing attention because incumbent Ras Baraka faces seven challengers and could be forced into a June 9 runoff if no one wins a majority. The reporting mainly focuses on the election setup and vote-counting process, with no other major new developments about Salters included.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements
- Fundraising