Booker backs party slate in competitive Bloomfield primary

Senator Cory Booker is taking sides in the primary race for three Bloomfield council seats, endorsing the party-backed candidates, the opposite side of his fellow U.S. senator. 

Booker is joining Gov. Mikie Sherrill in backing the organization slate, putting him opposite of Senator Andy Kim, Rep. Analilia Mejia (D-Glen Ridge), and State Sen. Britnee Timberlake (D-East Orange), who are backing the challengers.

“As the former Mayor of Newark, I know the true test of public leadership is the ability to combine a deep love for the community with the grinding, everyday work of delivering real municipal results,” Booker said. “Rosalee Gonzalez, Sarah Cruz and Jason Martinez are committed to solving real problems and building a stronger future for everyone.”

Booker is backing a pair of incumbents, Rosalee Gonzalez in the First Ward and Sarah Cruz in the Third Ward, as well as Jason Martinez, who is seeking an open seat in the Second Ward.

Kim, Mejia, and Timberlake have endorsed the challenger slate: Stefanie Santiago in the First Ward, Greg Babula in the Second Ward, and Stef Bootwala in the Third Ward.

The organization slate is also backed by Assemblyman Michael Venezia, Bloomfield’s Democratic municipal chairman, and Mayor Jenny Mundell. Cruz is Venezia’s chief of staff, and Martinez, the Essex County Youth Services director, was an aide to Venezia.

“We are incredibly moved to have Senator Booker’s endorsement,” Gonzalez, Cruz, and Martinez said. “His leadership reminds us all that true public service must lead with empathy and focus entirely on the common good.”