Aljarrah gets endorsement from former Squad member

Former Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) is weighing in on a Passaic County race, endorsing Ali Aljarrah for county commissioner in a competitive primary coming in June.

Aljarrah, a senior adviser at CAIR Action NJ, is challenging party-backed candidates for the Democratic nomination. Bowman, a high-profile progressive, lost renomination in 2024 to George Latimer after the most expensive House primary in American history.

“I’m proud to endorse Ali Aljarrah for Passaic County Commissioner, because Ali is running to make Passaic County more affordable and more responsive to the people who live here — not political insiders,” Bowman said in a release. “He’s focused on bringing down costs for working families, investing in safer and more reliable transportation, and making sure that county government is actually delivering for everyday people.”

Bowman launched a super PAC last year, Built to Win, to boost left-wing candidates in tight races. Aljarrah was born in Paterson and raised in Passaic County, and has worked at CAIR-NJ since 2023. 

“Congressman Bowman fights for justice, even when he fights alone. I’m honored to earn his support in this fight,” Aljarrah said. “Congressman Bowman is right: we need people who understand the urgency of the moment we’re in. Passaic County is in the grips of an affordability crisis, and the style of leadership and culture of politics that brought us to this point won’t get us out of it.”

County Commissioner Orlando Cruz (D-Paterson) is seeking re-election. County Commissioner Bruce James is retiring, and the Passaic County Democratic Party endorsed Nick Veliky, the president of the Clifton Democratic Club, to succeed him. Aljarrah opted not to seek party support after he was asked to sign a pledge to drop out if he didn’t receive the endorsement. Democrats hold a 7-0 grip on the Passaic Board of Commissioners.

“Ali represents a new generation of leadership that understands the urgency of this moment and has the courage to challenge the status quo,” Bowman said. “Passaic County deserves that kind of leadership, and that’s why I’m proud to support him.”

Bowman’s endorsement of Aljarrah isn’t his first endorsement in the Garden State this year: he backed Mussab Ali’s candidacy against Rep. Rob Menendez (D-Jersey City) in January.