Baraka backs Aljarrah (D) in Passaic County commissioner race
Aljarrah, a senior adviser at CAIR Action NJ, is challenging party-backed candidates for the Democratic nomination next month.
“Ali Aljarrah is a civil rights leader who has fought tirelessly to protect our free speech, protect our immigrant neighbors, and protect our environment,” Baraka said. “In this moment of rising authoritarianism, a protector is exactly who we need in local government. Ali isn’t afraid to fight for bold policies and win, so I know he will deliver real change for the people of Passaic County.”
County Commissioner Orlando Cruz (D-Paterson) is seeking re-election. County Commissioner Bruce James is retiring, and the Passaic County Democratic Party endorsed Nick Veliky, the president of the Clifton Democratic Club, to succeed him. Aljarrah opted not to seek party support after he was asked to sign a pledge to drop out if he didn’t receive the endorsement. Democrats hold a 7-0 grip on the Passaic Board of Commissioners.
The Newark mayor is one of several major progressives to back Aljarrah. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), one of the country’s preeminent progressives, endorsed Aljarrah last week, and former Rep. Jamaal Bowman endorsed him last month. A pair of progressive Hudson County assemblymembers, Katie Brennan (D-Jersey City) and Ravi Bhalla (D-Hoboken), crossed county lines to back Aljarrah.
https://newjerseyglobe.com/campaigns/baraka-backs-aljarrah-in-passaic-county-commissioner-race/