Ras Baraka
Ras Baraka | |
|---|---|
Baraka in 2016 | |
| 40th Mayor of Newark | |
| Assumed office July 1, 2014 | |
| Preceded by | Luis A. Quintana |
| Member of the Newark Municipal Council from the South Ward | |
| In office July 1, 2010 – July 1, 2014 | |
| Preceded by | Oscar James |
| Succeeded by | John James |
| Member of the Newark Municipal Council from the at-large district | |
| In office November 2, 2005 – July 1, 2006 | |
| Preceded by | Donald Kofi Tucker |
| Succeeded by | Mildred Crump |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Ras Jua Baraka April 9, 1970 Newark, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Linda Jumah (m. 2019) |
| Relations |
|
| Children | 4 |
| Education | Howard University (BA) Saint Peter's University (MA) |
| Website | Official website |
Ras Jua Baraka (born April 9, 1970) is an American politician, author, and educator. A member of the Democratic Party, Baraka is the 40th and current mayor of Newark, New Jersey. First elected in the 2014 election, he was sworn into office on July 1, 2014, and was reelected in 2018 and 2022.
Prior to his election as mayor, he served on the Municipal Council of Newark and as principal of the city's Central High School. Baraka sought the Democratic nomination for governor of New Jersey in the 2025 election, but lost in the primary to Mikie Sherrill.