In a fiery broadside aimed at New Jersey’s political establishment, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka launched a scorching attack on Blue Dog Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill and party bosses during a rally in her hometown Tuesday, branding them “tone deaf” to the crises facing Black and Brown communities—and hinting he might sit out the general election if she secures the nomination.
Baraka launched a scathing indictment of New Jersey’s Democratic leadership Tuesday, accusing Governor Phil Murphy, Sherrill, and party elites of ignoring the urgent needs of Black and Brown communities—and hinting he may abandon Sherrill in November if she clinches the nomination.
Standing outside Montclair Public Library in Sherrill’s hometown, Baraka—a progressive gubernatorial candidate—lambasted the Democratic establishment for perpetuating systemic inequities.
“The party bosses have chosen Sherrill, so she must be held responsible,” he declared, condemning segregated schools, racial disparities in maternal healthcare, and a lack of economic opportunity. “If leaders are unclear on these issues, people will stay home. I might stay home.”
Baraka tore into Sherrill, the moderate frontrunner, for what he called “tone-deaf” solutions to systemic racism, including her emphasis on childhood literacy to address the racial wealth gap.
“If a Republican said that, it’d be racist,” he charged, citing her donations from Big Pharma, Wall Street, and defense contractors.
Sherrill’s appeal to GOP-leaning voters in Morris County—where Republican leaders recently dined at an upscale steakhouse in her district—further fueled Baraka’s critique of her as a “quasi-Republican.”
Sherrill, in a statement, acknowledged systemic racism but defended her record and pledged to tackle disparities in housing, healthcare, and education if elected. Yet Baraka dismissed her rhetoric as “empty promises,” citing her reluctance to confront Wall Street and hawkish immigration votes.
Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, trailing Sherrill in polls only slightly, might benefit most from Baraka’s broadside attack on Sherrill, who gained experience as a military helicopter pilot and federal prosecutor before she became a fulltime mother.
Her conservative credentials are not surprising, as Sherrill is a Dixieland Democrat from in the Commonwealth of Virginia. She was born in Alexandria and graduated from South Lakes High School in Reston, which is known for its expanses of parks, lakes, golf courses, and bridle paths.
With six Democrats vying for Murphy’s seat, the June 10 primary remains volatile. Nearly 10,000 mail-in ballots have already been cast, raising the stakes for Baraka’s last-ditch appeal to progressive voters.
Former Senate President Steve Sweeney, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller, Blue Dog Democratic Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, and Trump’s favorite Democratic Congressman Josh Gottheimer are locked in a race that would almost certainly determine who is the next governor.
However, Sherrill’s GOP-friendly image risks fracturing a Democratic base already disillusioned by Trump’s gains with Black and Hispanic voters in 2023. Sweeney and Gottheimer have similar baggage of being indistinguishable from Republicans.
Spiller, the former mayor of Montclair, has a potential powerkeg of problems related to fraudulently taking taxpayer-funded health insurance, whistleblower retaliation, and misappropriation of union funds that could emerge as scandals strong enough to derail his candidacy, should he capture the nomination.
Fulop has the advantage of a strong progressive profile, executive experience as a big city mayor, and a cadre of allies running for Assembly and other downballot contests all across the state. He is the only contender who is directly attacking the powerful party bosses who dominated the primary selection process until the so-called ‘organization line’ was abolished last year.
Fulop is running with the slogan ‘Democrats for Change,” which is associated with anti-establishment progressive Lisa McCormick, who got more votes when she sought the senate nomination in 2018 than any statewide Democratic primary challenger to an incumbent since 1980.
The rift will explode into public view at two May debates, where Baraka, Sherrill, Fulop, and the others will clash., although notably absent will be Spiller, who failed to qualify.
Baraka’s broadside signals a Democratic civil war over race, equity, and loyalty.
As Sherrill courts moderates and Republicans, Baraka warned of a general election disaster if Black voters—disillusioned by “complacent” leaders—stay home.
“This is not about hate,” he said. “It’s about demanding the party correct course.”