Obama, Murphy To Hold ‘Early Vote Rally’ In Newark: Election 2021

NEWARK, NJ — There’s a presidential vibe in Essex County this election season.

According to a media advisory from the campaign of Gov. Phil Murphy, he and former president Barack Obama will be holding an “early vote rally” in Newark on Saturday, Oct. 23.

Citing a snapshot of an official event ticket, TAP Into Newark reported that the rally, slated to take place from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Weequahic Park, will be open only to those with tickets because of coronavirus safety protocols.

Additional details about the visit weren’t immediately available.

Early in-person voting will take place in New Jersey for the first time in state history as part of the 2021 general election from Oct. 23 to Oct. 31.

• See related article: Gov. Murphy Signs New Law Expanding Voting Access In New Jersey
• See related article: NJ Election Changes In 2021 (Early Voting, Vote By Mail)

Obama visited Newark in 2015 as part of his campaign to raise awareness about national criminal justice reform. The former president supported Murphy during his first gubernatorial race in 2017.

Former first lady Michelle Obama has also made her presence known in the Brick City, speaking at the Prudential Center in 2019.

The former president’s trip to Newark will be the city’s second White House-related visit in as many weeks. On Friday, Vice President Kamala Harris came to Montclair State University to speak about President Joe Biden's $3.5 trillion federal spending plan, including its child care provisions. She also visited the COVID-19 vaccine center at Essex County College in Newark to support the Biden Administration’s six-point pandemic recovery plan.

• See related article: Kamala Harris Visits New Jersey To Push For Child Care, Vaccines

And there's more; President Biden is scheduled to arrive in Newark for a visit on Monday, Murphy recently announced. Read More: Joe Biden Coming To Newark As NJ Governor Election Nears

Both Biden and Harris have endorsed Murphy’s bid for re-election in New Jersey.

“Governor Murphy is getting folks vaccinated to beat the pandemic,” Biden said. “He’s delivering economic relief to working families and supports my plans to build back better by investing in our infrastructure and in our people – with child care, elder care, paid leave, and more.”

The president continued:

“I stood with him in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida as he’s taking on the climate crisis. From lowering the cost of health care to improving access to education, Phil delivers for the people. He shares my optimism for the future. And he knows how to get the job done because he’s been doing it. We need to re-elect Phil Murphy as Governor of New Jersey.”

Harris touted Murphy's accomplishments during his first term, including raising the minimum wage, and investing in public schools and clean energy jobs.

"He is the partner [that] President Joe Biden and I need in Trenton," Harris said in an endorsement video.

“It’s an honor to receive this endorsement from my friends, President Biden and Vice President Harris,” Murphy said. “We’re proving that when we work together, we can grow and strengthen the middle class, combat climate change and lead a strong, equitable recovery that moves New Jersey forward.”

Murphy is facing a challenge from Republican nominee, Jack Ciattarelli, as well as Madelyn Hoffman of the Green Party of New Jersey, Gregg Mele of the New Jersey Libertarian Party and Joanne Kuniansky of the Socialist Workers Party.

• See related article: 4 Takeaways From The First Murphy, Ciattarelli Debate
• See related article: 4 Takeaways From The 2nd Gubernatorial Debate
• See related article: 'Big Money' Rules NJ Governor Debates, Third-Party Candidates Say

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Sign up for Patch email newsletters. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Don’t forget to visit the Patch Newark Facebook page.