Former Hunterdon Dem chair endorses Baraka days before convention

Former Hunterdon County Chair Joey Novick endorsed Newark Mayor Ras Baraka for governor Tuesday, just days before Hunterdon’s Democratic convention.

Novick led the Hunterdon County Democrats from 1996 to 2000 and has a history of supporting progressive candidates—he vouched for Senator Bernie Sanders in the 2016 and 2020 presidential primaries. Novick’s endorsement comes less than a week before Sunday’s Hunterdon County convention.

“What sets Mayor Baraka apart is his deep understanding of both urban and suburban issues facing New Jersey,” Novick said in a letter to Hunterdon County Democrats. “His background as an educator and community activist, combined with his executive experience managing New Jersey’s largest city, gives him a unique perspective on the challenges facing our diverse state.”

Novick praised Baraka’s leadership of Newark has shown the mayor to be a skilled leader. Novick also praised Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-Tenafly) and Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair), but said their experience fighting President Donald Trump’s agenda means they’re needed in Congress and that Baraka’s handling of state issues makes him the best option for governor.

“I’m honored to have the support of Joey Novick, a pillar of the Hunterdon County Democrats,” Baraka said in a release. “He understands where we are as a state and as a party, and he recognizes the opportunity we have in this moment to do something historic, to lean into our Democratic values and not retreat into moderation.”

Novick is joining Baraka during a series of Hunterdon County events Tuesday evening, according to the campaign.

Sunday’s Hunterdon Democratic Convention is the first convention of the 2025 primary cycle.

In other endorsement news, a group of local Salem County officials endorsed former state Senate President Steve Sweeney.

Endorsing Sweeney are:

Carneys Point Township Mayor Ken Brown; Carneys Point Township Deputy Mayor Patrick Bomba; Carneys Point Township Committeewoman Dr. Rev. Almeda Johnson; Elmer Borough Mayor Joe Stemberger; Elsinboro Township Committeeman Doug Hogate; Pennsville Township Democratic Club Chair Charles Hassler; Pittsgrove Township Democratic Association Chair Norman Lenchitz; Salem County Democratic Committee Vice Chair Sue Voros; Salem County Democratic State Committeeman Peter Voros; Salem County NAACP President Nelson Carney Jr.; Salem City Councilman Earl Gage; Salem City Councilwoman Ceil Smith; Retired State; Police Captain Bill Higgins; Retired Salem County Director of Office on Aging and Disabled Debbie Behnke; Retired Salem County Prosecutor John “Jiggs” Lenahan; Former Salem County Commissioner Bruce Bobbitt; Former Salem County Commissioner Beth Timberman; Former Salem County Commissioner Lee Ware; Woodstown Borough Mayor Joe Hiles; and Woodstown Borough Councilman Jesse Stemberger.

You can find a full list of endorsements in New Jersey’s 2025 gubernatorial primary here.