Kim, Mejia and Timberlake endorse insurgent Bloomfield council candidates

U.S. Senator Andy Kim, Rep. Analilia Mejia (D-Glen Ridge), and State Sen. Britnee Timberlake (D-East Orange) are taking sides in a contested Democratic primary for three ward council seats in Bloomfield, moving against the local Democratic organization headed by Assemblyman Michael Venezia (D-Bloomfield).

“Stefanie Santiago, Greg Babula, and Stef Bootwala are a new generation of leaders ready to move Bloomfield forward with transparency, accountability, and leadership rooted in community,” the three high-ranking lawmakers said in a joint statement.

Santiago and Bootwala are running on the progressive Bloomfield for Progress slate against candidates backed by Venezia, the Democratic municipal chairman and former mayor. Babula is also challenging the organization candidate under the Essex Reform Democrats banner.

Santiago faces incumbent Rosalee Gonzalez in the First Ward. This is a rematch of the 2025 primary for a one-year unexpired term, which Gonzalez won by 229 votes, 56%-44%.



https://newjerseyglobe.com/local/kim-mejia-and-timberlake-endorse-insurgent-bloomfield-council-candidates/