Incumbent
Newark Mayor winner?
$20.1K
MAY 13, 2026
General Election
Voters choose the office holder.
Overview
Current roleMayor
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age57 years old (Apr 9, 1969)
GenderMale
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LocationNew Jersey
BackgroundMayor
EducationHoward University — B.A., Political Science and History
Notable personal detailsRas J. Baraka is an American politician, educator, and poet who has served as mayor of Newark, New Jersey (40th mayor), first taking office in July 2014. He was educated in Newark Public Schools and earned a B.A. in Political Science and History from Howard University and a master’s degree in Education Supervision from Saint Peter’s University. He worked for more than two decades in Newark Public Schools as a teacher, administrator, and principal before holding elected office.
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Positions
Economy & Taxes
Ras J. Baraka proposes raising taxes on the state’s highest earners and restructuring income tax brackets to generate about $2 billion annually, while cutting rates for many middle-income earners and funding expanded public programs and investments. His platform emphasizes greater revenue from wealthy individuals and large corporations to support public services, transit, housing, and anti-poverty measures.
Healthcare
Supports major public expansions of healthcare including single-payer/Medicare for All and discussion of public-option approaches; advocates expanding Medicaid and protecting public hospital services. Positions emphasize reducing out-of-pocket costs and opposing privatization of community healthcare institutions.
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Immigration & Border
The candidate supports sanctuary-style protections for immigrants, opposes federal immigration enforcement tactics (including warrantless ICE raids and private detention centers), and has taken executive and legal actions to limit local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. He has publicly protested and sued to block an immigration detention facility in Newark and expanded municipal protections and services for residents regardless of immigration status.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports abortion and reproductive care as a fundamental right and called for preserving Roe v. Wade and fighting efforts to restrict abortion access; describes reproductive care as part of healthcare and bodily autonomy.
Climate & Energy
Supports ambitious climate action and environmental justice, advocating a transition to a zero-carbon economy, city climate action planning, and major local clean-energy and sustainability initiatives. As mayor has advanced Newark’s climate action plan, green infrastructure programs, tree-planting and clean-energy projects and has signed national mayoral letters urging federal investment in a green, equitable recovery.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports strong gun-safety measures including bans on assault-style weapons and large-capacity magazines, universal (national) gun laws to restrict access, and programs to remove illegal guns from streets alongside prevention and enforcement efforts.
Endorsements
Endorsers of Ras J. Baraka for Newark Mayor winner?
32BJ SEIU
Labor organization
32BJ SEIU endorsed Ras J. Baraka in New Jersey municipal elections.
Democratic Mayors Association
Elected official
Democratic Mayors Association endorsed Ras J. Baraka for reelection as mayor of Newark, New Jersey.
New Jersey LCV
Elected official
New Jersey LCV endorsed Ras J. Baraka for Newark mayor in the May nonpartisan municipal elections.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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