Working Families Party endorses slate of down-ballot progressives

The New Jersey Working Families Party endorsed a slate of downballot candidates from around the state on Tuesday, including Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who is seeking re-election next month.

The progressive group also endorsed Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea, Hudson County commissioner candidate Alex Valdez, and the PPDO Piscataway City Council Slate. The Piscataway slate, which is challenging a slate of Middlesex County Democratic Organization-backed candidates, includes Shantell Cherry of Ward 1, Elizabeth “Betsy” Aumack of Ward 2, Viola Stone of Ward 3, and Rashaad Couloote of Ward 4.

“The NJ Working Families Party is proud to endorse a second slate of local candidates who will stand side-by-side with working people,” said Sunni Vargas, the political director for the New Jersey Working Families Party. “At a time when the federal government is ripping away rights from working families and attacking our communities, we need to elect bold leaders who will stand up for us. This slate of candidates will do that.”

The New Jersey Working Families Party has found electoral success of late. Analilia Mejia, the organization’s former state director, won a special congressional election last week, and it backed James Solomon’s successful bid for Jersey City’s mayorship. The group also backed now-Assemblymembers Katie Brennan (D-Jersey City) and Ravi Bhalla (D-Hoboken) in the 32nd district and Al Abdelaziz (D-Paterson) and Kenyatta Stewart (D-Paterson) in the 35th district in competitive primaries last year.

“I’m grateful for the Working Families Party’s endorsement. I’ve built my record in county government on the same values they fight for, putting working people first,” O’Dea said. “I’ll keep fighting for affordability, accountability, and a government that actually works for the people who live here.”

The New Jersey WFP endorsed Baraka for governor in the 2025 Democratic primary, in which he finished second behind now-Gov. Mikie Sherrill. 

“This endorsement strengthens our collective commitment to creating real opportunities for working families; through good jobs, affordable housing, and meaningful investments in our communities,” Baraka said.