Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop has forged an alliance with an insurgent slate of candidates for local office in the city of Camden as he seeks pockets of votes as a candidate for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, endorsing Theo Spencer for mayor.
Spencer, who is challenging incumbent Victor Carstarphen in the primary, has reciprocated and is backing Fulop for governor. Carstarphen is backing Newark Mayor Ras Baraka in a contest where nearly all of the power players in Camden County are with the South Jersey candidate, former Senate President Steve Sweeney.
“This is what change looks like,” said Fulop. “These candidates are running against one of the most entrenched and toxic political machines in the state, not for attention, but because they’ve lived the failures of that system and are ready to fix it.”
In addition to Spencer, Fulop is backing the entire Community First Real Democrats for Change slate, including city council candidates Sheila Davis, Tyann La’Shae Harris, and Corinne Powers, and a slate of candidates for the Democratic county committee.
“These aren’t career politicians, they’re public servants, organizers, and neighbors fighting for transparency, fairness, and respect for the people of Camden,” stated Fulop. “That’s exactly why the machine is panicking. It’s textbook politics: smear the candidates who won’t play ball, confuse voters, and protect your grip on power. It’s tired, and Camden residents see right through it.”
Fulop has been a longtime critic of the Camden County Democratic machine.
“This city belongs to its people, not to a political machine that trades loyalty for opportunity,” Spencer said. “We’re not here to cut deals or take orders, we’re here to return Camden’s government to the residents it’s supposed to serve.”
Fulop recently joined together with Lav Patel, who is challenging Edison Mayor Sam Joshi in the primary.