Newark Housing Advocate Sets Sights On Mayor Election: Tanisha Garner

NEWARK, NJ — Ever since growing up in Newark as a little girl, Tanisha Garner has wanted to fight for the underdogs. She’ll get her chance next week when the city holds its latest mayoral election.

Garner is one of seven candidates who are competing against Mayor Ras Baraka in the May 12 nonpartisan municipal election. Other candidates include Debra Salters, Douglas Davis, Jhamar Youngblood, Noble Milton, Nasheedah Singleton, and Sheila Montague.

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Several city council seats are also up for election. RELATED: Here’s Who Is Running For Newark Mayor, City Council

According to Garner, she’s running on a platform that includes housing, the environment and transportation (see flyer below).

Garner said that if elected mayor, she would attempt to “bridge the gap and create synergy” between residents, businesses and developers that do business with the City of Newark. She shared the following list of qualifications with Patch:

• I served as parent representative of the board of directors for Newark Preschool Council and vice chair of the Policy Council.
• I have advocated for environmental justice for the City Of Newark.
• I have advocated for better transit for Newark and the state of New Jersey. I also advocated for the 31 ,24 and 44 bus lines to be once again restored by NJ Transit. I also fought for a Bus Riders Bill of Rights for the state of New Jersey.
• I served with AmeriCorps VISTA as a tenant organizer for 440 Washington Street, Aspen River Park Apartments, Father Divine Rivera Hotel, Center City and helped shape policies through the HUD.
• I advocated for homeless policies by being an active member of Garden State Leaders and the Essex County COC.
• I taught law students about housing advocacy. I also fought for stronger rent control.
• I negotiated with the Ballentine Apartments to include inclusionary zoning. I fought for a Terrell Homes senior building community benefits agreement.
• I was the lead organizer against Iberia II Reality, which proposed to build two [multi-story buildings] in the Ironbound.
• I have worked with a company called Alma Earth Group, where we are planting plants alongside the Passaic River at Riverfront Park that assists with the contamination.
• I also have done several community cleanups over the years and worked with St. Bendict’s Brick Row team and other local colleges and schools to beautify our neighborhood and Riverfront Park.

Are you a candidate seeking office in Newark? Send campaign updates and news releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com

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