NEWARK, NJ — A runoff election is coming to Newark’s South Ward.
Newark voters went to the polls on May 12 to elect a mayor and several city council members.
With 100 percent of votes reported, it appears that Ras Baraka has captured another victory as mayor of the largest city in New Jersey. The Associated Press called the race in his favor at 9:01 p.m.
“I don’t fight alone, and I appreciate that,” the mayor told his supporters during a post-election campaign event at Newark Symphony Hall.
“I’m comfortable that we’ve had 12 years and we’ve done a hell of a job, and I’m thankful that we’ve got four more,” Baraka said.
The election results remain unofficial, but if they stand, several incumbents on the city council have also successfully defended their seats: Luis Quintana, C. Lawrence Crump and Louise Scott-Rountree (at-large), Anibal Ramos Jr. (North Ward), Michael Silva (East Ward), Dupre Kelly (West Ward) and Amina Bey (Central Ward).
Meanwhile, a new challenger – Donna Jackson – is on the cusp of capturing Carlos Gonzalez’s former at-large seat on the dais. Gonzalez announced he was not running for re-election earlier this year.
>> RELATED: 2026 Election Results For Newark Mayor, City Council
CITY COUNCIL RUNOFF: COUNCIL VS. NORTON
In the city’s South Ward, a runoff election will take place on Tuesday, June 9 between incumbent Patrick Council and challenger Asia Norton.
According to uncertified election results, Council got 2,165 votes (46.12 percent) and Norton – the next-highest vote-getter – got 1,093 votes (23.29 percent).
A runoff election is triggered in Newark’s municipal elections when no candidate got a majority of votes (at least 50 percent plus one).
Council and Norton both said they’re gearing up for another month of campaigning.
“This race is far from over and the momentum is real,” Council said Wednesday.
“This campaign has never just been about politics it’s about people,” he continued. “It’s about showing up for our residents every single day, fighting for our neighborhoods, advocating for our families and making sure the South Ward continues moving forward.”
“Together, we’ve fought for our neighborhoods, supported our youth, invested in our parks, and stayed present for the people every single day,” Council said. “Now it’s time to finish what we started.”
Meanwhile, Norton is also kicking her campaign into high gear, her team says.
“[Tuesday’s] results prove that the people of Newark’s South Ward are ready for leadership that is present, prepared and deeply connected to the community,” Norton said.
“This campaign has never been about politics as usual – it has always been about the people,” she continued. “As someone born and raised in the South Ward and raising my son here, I understand the real life challenges our families face every single day. I am honored to continue this grassroots movement as we head into the June 9 runoff election.”
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