Majority of Englewood City Council supporting Baraka

Three of the five Englewood city councilmembers – Charles Cobb, Angela David, and Kevin Wilson – have endorsed Ras Baraka for the Democratic nomination for governor, giving the Newark mayor support from elected officials from a municipality in the congressional district of another candidate, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Tenafly).

Heavily Democratic Englewood, the sixth-largest municipality in Bergen County, is already split in next year’s governor’s race: Englewood Mayor Michael Wildes and State Sen. Gordon Johnson (D-Englewood) have endorsed Gottheimer, while Jersey City Mayor Fulop has the backing of former Mayor Frank Huttle and former Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D-Englewood).

Baraka has been scoring endorsements from prominent Black elected officials in his bid to become the state’s first Black governor: he’s got the backing of Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Ewing) and LaMonica McIver (D-Newark), Camden Mayor Vic Carstarphen – most of the Camden Democratic leadership is with former Senate President Steve Sweeney – and Orange Mayor Dwayne Warren, who came on board after most Essex Democrats announced their support of Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair).

“Mayor Baraka represents the bold and principled leadership we need at this critical time,” said Cobb, an at-large councilman. “From his work revitalizing Newark’s neighborhoods to his relentless advocacy for affordable healthcare and economic opportunity, Ras Baraka is a leader who turns challenges into opportunities. His vision aligns with the values and aspirations of communities like ours here in Englewood.”

David said that Baraka “understands that investing in people – through education, job creation, and sustainable development – is the key to a stronger, more equitable, more prosperous New Jersey for all.”

“Ras Baraka is a leader who understands the struggles and hopes of everyday New Jerseyans,” stated Wilson. “His commitment to addressing issues like housing affordability, public safety, and development without displacement is exactly what we need right now. He has my full support because I believe in his ability to deliver a more equitable and united New Jersey.”

Cobb, David and Wilson are the only Black elected officials on the Englewood City Council.