As part of our Special Series “NJ’s Next Governor: Decision 2025,” Ras J. Baraka (D) – NJ, Mayor of the City of Newark and a Democratic Candidate for NJ Governor, joins Steve Adubato to discuss the central issues of his gubernatorial campaign, including affordable housing initiatives, education, and growing business in the state.

Regarding education, Steve asks Mayor Baraka about public education and recent editorials about the Newark School System. Mayor Baraka responds, “There have been incredible challenges, not
just in Newark but around the state and around the country. Newark has suffered greatly in that, and I think there is more work to be done by the school board and the superintendent. And folks, I think they are trying to do the best that they can. We have entered that fight by helping them to get the third graders to read on grade level by instituting a citywide focus on literacy from the mayor’s office, trying to help boost that up. Making sure that summer programs, athletic programs– that anything the city offers has a literacy component attached to it.”