Chaneyfield Jenkins will run for McIver’s council seat

Gayle Chaneyfield Jenkins, a former Newark councilwoman who lost a 2018 campaign for mayor, will run for the Central Ward council seat that’s been vacant since now-U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-Newark) stepped down last September, she announced today.

“The Central Ward has been without representation for far too long,” Chaneyfield Jenkins said in a statement. “This is a pivotal moment for our community, and we need experienced, independent leadership to ensure that the voices of our residents are heard and their needs prioritized.”

The former councilwoman’s entrance sets up a contested nonpartisan race this November against Andre Speight, the Central Ward Democratic chairman and the husband of Assemblywoman Shanique Speight (D-Newark). At least two other candidates, Jhamar Youngblood and Ryan Talmadge, are running as well.

Chaneyfield Jenkins is entering the race with some local supporters, including former Councilman Oscar James – who was defeated by Baraka in the South Ward in 2014 – and pastors Jethro James and Joe Carter.

“Gayle Chaneyfield Jenkins has always been a champion for Newark residents,” James said. “Her proven ability to deliver results and her deep connection to the community make her uniquely qualified to represent the Central Ward at this critical time.”

Chaneyfield Jenkins has a long history in Newark municipal politics. First elected to an at-large seat on the municipal council in 1995, she lost her seat in 2006 as Cory Booker was elected mayor; then, in 2014, she effectuated a comeback on now-Mayor Ras Baraka’s ticket, winning a competitive race for the city’s Central Ward seat.

But her relationship with Baraka soon went south, and in 2018 she launched a campaign to unseat him as mayor. Baraka, though, retained support from the Democratic political establishment, and the final result was not remotely close: Baraka won 77% to 23%, besting Chaneyfield Jenkins in every neighborhood in the city.

That year, McIver was elected to replace Chaneyfield Jenkins in the Central Ward on Baraka’s slate. But McIver’s election to Congress last year to succeed the late Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D-Newark) created an opening for her seat; the city made an effort to schedule a special election at the same time as its April school board elections, but a judge said no, meaning that the seat will remain empty until November.