Citing support back when he was arrested back at Delaney Hall this past May, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka is backing U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez (D-8) for a third term in the June 2nd Democratic primary.

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

“The fight we are in against Trump’s agenda of chaos and cruelty is the fight of our lives. And I am proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Rob in this critical moment in our nation’s history. When we were confronted at Delaney Hall by armed ICE and HSI agents simply because we were standing up for our communities, we stood in the breach together,” Baraka said in a statement.

“And he has always been there with us, from protecting our communities to delivering critical federal funding to Newark. He doesn’t just talk about doing the hard work of representing Newark. He does it. I know that there is no stronger fighter for our district, which is why I am endorsing him for re-election to Congress.”

The Brick City mayor faced federal trespassing charges from the U.S. Attorney’s Office of New Jersey for the May 9th, 2025 incident, but they were dropped just 10 days later after a federal judge lashed out at the prosecutors responsible for handling the case.

Since then, Menendez has been a vocal adversary of U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Washington, D.C. and Hudson County, just yesterday going toe-to-toe with an ICE official over two men getting arrested in Union City Sunday morning.

“We are living in a moment that requires us to act with the urgency needed to protect our communities. Mayor Baraka has led not just for his city of Newark, he has stood tall for all of us. When he was targeted by the Trump DOJ for doing his job at Delaney Hall, I was there with him because there is nothing more important than standing up together for our neighbors,” added Menendez.

“And I will always stand alongside Mayor Baraka and the people of Newark whether it is to hold the Trump Administration accountable or to ensure Newark has every resource it needs to continue its upward trajectory. I am grateful for Mayor Baraka’s support and for being a true friend and partner in doing the work of fighting for every single family we share the honor of representing in Newark.”

The incumbent now has the backing of two notable progressive leaders in the Garden State between U.S. Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) and Baraka, as well as again solidifying the support of the Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO).

He still faces a primary challenge from the left in form of former Jersey City Board of Education President Mussab Ali.