Ras Baraka, the mayor of Newark, has begun his first significant statewide advertising campaign as the Democratic nominee for governor. He is spending $120,000 a week on digital platforms, social media, streaming services, and television.
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-Ewing) narrates the commercial, Meet Ras Baraka, which portrays the three-term mayor of New Jersey’s largest city as a guy who changed the lives of the people and reduced crime in Newark by 60%.
Script: Since he is one of us, Mayor Ras Baraka, who was born in the South Ward, will serve as our governor. Ras graduated with a degree from Howard University after realizing the value of education. He discovered the value of becoming a principal, transforming the lives of students, and mentoring our young people. Ras transformed Newark as mayor, defeating Trump and reducing crime by 60%. Ras Baraka will make New Jersey the most equitable and cost-effective state it can be in his role as governor.
Our opponents and the political elite have been trying to discredit us for months, but the fact that we were able to go on TV before anyone anticipated it is evidence that our message is getting through, Baraka said. We are speaking to voters throughout the state on the most important topics, which include public safety, healthcare, housing, and education. The people are driving our movement, and we’re not going away.
According to Watson Coleman, in order for Democrats to win in November, we must choose the candidate who has the most distinct Democratic vision, an executive who has consistently prioritized working people, and a leader who can bring together the wide coalition required for victory.
That leader is Ras Baraka. His dedication to regular people, workers, and families who are trying to make ends meet and advance has never faltered. Watson Coleman described him as the type of leader who not only talks about justice but also works to make it a reality in our housing policy, schools, and economic goals. By providing equity, opportunity, and investment to its citizens, he has revolutionized Newark, and our state and nation urgently need leaders like him.
