Ras Baraka on Government Reform

	Ras Baraka on Government Reform

Home rule prevents building affordable housing

The ongoing conflict between townships and the state over housing obligations has stalled progress, costing taxpayers while nothing gets built. Home rule, once beneficial, is now a barrier to the regional approach needed to solve the affordability crisis. We're emphasizing the importance of holding every municipality accountable and bridging the gap between planning and execution. The recent affordable housing law is just a start; more comprehensive solutions are essential.

It is time to ensure that every worker, every family, and every community has a foundation they can stand on. By doing so, we're not just helping individuals, we're building a stronger, more resilient economy that benefits us all. Raising the floor for working people is not charity, it's common sense. It's an investment in the people who drive our economy forward every day.

Source: 2025 New Jersey Governor campaign website RasForGovernor.com , Feb 24, 2025

Make every vote count; make voting as easy as possible

To build a strong democracy, New Jersey has a lot we can do to make every vote count, make voting as easy as possible, and ensure that the government remains transparent and accountable to the people. To strengthen our democracy, we must align all elections with the national cycle to increase turnout and save taxpayer dollars. Modernizing registration with automatic and same-day options, alongside allowing 16-year-olds to vote in school board elections, will further expand participation. Source: 2025 New Jersey Governor campaign website RasForGovernor.com , Feb 24, 2025

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*Other governors on Government Reform:*			*Ras Baraka on other issues:*
*NJ Gubernatorial:* Doug Steinhardt Hirsh Singh *NJ Senatorial:* Andy Kim Cory Booker Curtis Bashaw George Helmy Hirsh Singh Rik Mehta Robert Menendez Stuart Meissner Tammy Murphy	*Gubernatorial races 2025:* *New Jersey Governor:* Democratic primary June 10, 2025: Ras Baraka, Mayor of Newark (2014-present) Steven Fulop, Mayor of Jersey City (2013-present) Josh Gottheimer, U.S. Rep. NJ-5 (since 2017) Mikie Sherrill, U.S. Rep. NJ-11 (since 2019) Stephen Sweeney, N.J.Senate President (2010-2022) Republican primary June 10, 2025: Jon Bramnick, State Senator (since 2022); Minority Leader (2012-2022) Jack Ciattarelli, State Assemblyman (2011-2018), governor nominee (2021) Edward Durr, State Senator 3rd district (2022-2024); withdrew *Virginia Governor:* Democratic primary June 17 cancelled: Abigail Spanberger, U.S.Rep., VA-7 (2019-2024); Dem. nominee 2025 Levar Stoney, VA Secretary of the Commonwealth (2014-2016); (withdrew to run for Lt. Gov.) Republican primary June 17 cancelled: Winsome Earle-Sears, Lt. Gov. since 2022; GOP nominee 2025 Amanda Chase, State Senate District 11 (2016-2023); failed to make ballot Denver Riggleman, U.S.Rep. (R-VA-5); exploratory committee as Independent Glenn Youngkin, Incumbent Governor , (2022-2025), term-limited	*Mayoral races 2025:* *NYC Mayor Democratic primary June 24, 2025:* Adrienne Adams, speaker of the City Council Andrew Cuomo, former governor of New York, 2011-2021. Republican June 24 primary cancelled; general election Nov. 4: Eric Adams, incumbent Democratic mayor running as an independent Jim Walden, Independent; Former assistant U.S. Attorney Curtis Sliwa, Republican; CEO of the Guardian Angels *Jersey City Mayor (Non-partisan)* Non-partisan general election Nov. 4: Mussab Ali, former president of the Jersey City Board of Education Bill O'Dea, Hudson County commissioner (since 1997) Jim McGreevey, former N.J. Governor (2002-2004) James Solomon, city councilor (since 2017) Joyce Watterman, president of the Jersey City Council (since 2023) *Oakland CA Mayor* Non-partisan special election April 14, 2025: Barbara Lee, U.S.Rep CA-12 (1998-2025) Loren Taylor, Oakland City Council (2019-2023), lost general election Sheng Thao, Oakland Mayor, lost recall election Nov. 5, 2024	Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families/Children Foreign Policy Free Trade Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Infrastructure/Technology Jobs Local Issues Principles/Values Social Security Tax Reform War/Iraq/Mideast Welfare/Poverty [Title9]