My Opponents: Gayle Chaneyfield Jenkins & Amina Bey
Gayle Chaneyfield Jenkins
Gayle Chaneyfield Jenkins is a longtime Newark political figure who first served on the Newark Municipal Council in 1995, representing the city’s Central Ward. During her early years on the council, she was known for her focus on neighborhood revitalization, economic development, and women’s empowerment. After a period out of office, she was re-elected to the council in 2014, resuming her role as Central Ward councilwoman.
In 2018, Gayle Chaneyfield Jenkins launched a mayoral campaign challenging incumbent Mayor Ras Baraka, positioning herself as a more pragmatic and business-friendly alternative. Despite a spirited campaign, she was ultimately unsuccessful in unseating Baraka.
During the campaign, Gayle Chaneyfield Jenkins made a notable media appearance on The Breakfast Club, where she sat down with Charlamagne Tha God to discuss Newark’s challenges, her vision for the city, and her critique of the Baraka administration. The interview helped raise her profile beyond Newark, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the mayor’s popularity among voters.
Amina Bey
Amina Bey is a Newark native and longtime friend of Mayor Ras Baraka. She was asked by Baraka to run for the Central Ward council seat in 2025 following the departure of Laminica McIver, his former appointee, who was elected to Congress.
Known for her close ties to the mayor, Amina Bey has positioned herself as a continuation of the Baraka administration’s influence in the Central Ward. While she’s new to elected office, she has been involved in various civic and nonprofit roles in Newark over the years. Amina Bey’s campaign has drawn attention for its alignment with the mayor’s political network and for representing an effort to maintain Baraka’s presence in local government through trusted allies.
Amina Bey’s candidacy reflects both the strength of her personal connection to Baraka and the ongoing debate in Newark politics about continuity versus change in city leadership.
Learn about how my platform compares to both Gayle Chaneyfield Jenkins and Amina Bey’s here.