Baraka potential unlimited, Menendez says

U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, in Newark to announce federal grants to hire more firefighters, heaped praise on Newark mayor Ras Baraka and said he could see him as a future candidate for statewide office.

”I think the mayor’s future is unlimited,” Menendez said in response to a question about Baraka running for governor or another higher office when a spot opens up down the road. “His potential is unlimited.”

Menendez says that Newark has come a long way under Baraka’s leadership.

“You see businesses are growing.  You see parts of the city that were neglected finally having attention paid to it.  You see a commitment to public safety,” Menendez said.  “If you can succeed in the state’s largest city, you can succeed anywhere else.”

Baraka was re-elected to a second term in May with 77% of the vote — the largest percentage in the history of Newark mayoral elections.