New Jersey’s Democratic Gubernatorial primary election had the largest turnout ever. Moderate Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, who touted her experience in the Navy and as a prosecutor, received 285,000 votes and 33% of the total so with one-third of the vote she will be facing off against the GOP’s Trump-endorsed Jack Ciattarelli in November’s general election.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, the most progressive candidate in the race and running to be the state’s first Black Governor, came in second place, earning over 173,000 votes or 20.1% of the total. Baraka had less money than any other candidate, but managed to get more votes than four other less progressive candidates who each had more money to spend.

Despite the challenges of a crowded field, lack of Democratic Party support, and having the least amount of money in the race, the strong support for Baraka at the polls showed that working class voters who want change were attracted to his platform and vision which must be taken seriously for the general election.

Baraka’s campaign unapologetically offered a strongly pro-working-class, pro-affirmative action, and pro-immigrant program with a…

Baraka’s campaign themes and platform included a $21 minimum wage, statewide rent cap, healthcare for all, and a more progressive tax system that ensures the wealthy pay their fair share while the tax burden on working people and middle class is reduced. Immigration, the cost of housing, groceries, and healthcare, education, public transit, and taxes were among the top issues in the race.

A few weeks before the primary election Ras Baraka was arrested and charged with trespassing at Delaney Hall, an immigration detention center in Newark but the charges were later dropped. However, the incident gained national attention and became an emotionally charged partisan issue.

Both Democrats and Republicans pointed to video footage from body cameras of the incident to accuse each other of instigating the scuffle. The New York Times stated that the federal government’s narrative that the lawmakers had “stormed” the facility was contradicted by video footage and several witnesses at the scene.

Despite less money, less organizational support and fewer endorsements from county bosses, the primary election results were much more impressive for Ras Baraka than any of his opponents, including the winner Mikie Sherrill. The lesson to be learned is that the right candidate with the right message can overcome the political establishment support for the status quo.

“We have to keep fighting and pushing for working-class families,” Baraka said on election night. “We need to make sure that we increase the minimum wage, and we actually make good on building affordable housing. We need to reduce healthcare costs and fight for a single payer system, and end inequity — healthcare inequity, economic inequity, housing inequity.”

Hopefully Democrats and progressive activists will heed that message.

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