Ras Baraka

Ras Jua Baraka (born April 9, 1970)^[1][2] is an American politician. He is the 40th and current Mayor of Newark, New Jersey. He was a member of the Municipal Council of Newark.^[3]

Ras Baraka
40th Mayor of Newark
Incumbent
Assumed office July 1, 2014
Preceded by	Luis 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 (1970-04-09) April 9, 1970 (age 55) Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Education	Howard University (BA) Saint Peter's University (MA)
Website	Official website

His father was poet Amiri Baraka.^[3]

On February 19, 2024, Baraka announced that he would run for Governor of New Jersey in the 2025 election.^[4] He lost the Democratic primary to U.S. Representative Mikie Sherrill in June 2025.