In New Jersey, Democrats search for a candidate to fight Trump
PLAINFIELD, N.J. — As voter Wendy David began to explain why she is supporting Newark Mayor Ras Baraka for governor in New Jersey, she stopped midsentence.
'I'll just be frank,' the Plainfield Democrat told NBC News. 'I feel Ras can stand up against Trump and protect us.'
David isn't alone. In conversations with nearly 40 New Jersey Democratic voters in recent days, a common theme emerged: Many New Jersey Democrats are looking to support a candidate for governor in Tuesday's primary who will forcefully push back against President Donald Trump.
And the six Democratic hopefuls have been making their cases against Trump on the airwaves and on the campaign trail.
'This fight in New Jersey is a national fight,' Baraka told supporters, including David, gathered in a backyard here on a recent Saturday evening.
'As I keep telling everybody, we have a first opportunity to clap back against what Donald Trump is doing,' Baraka later added.
That emphasis on Trump underscores how the president is looming over the New Jersey race, one of two governor's races this year, and shaping the primaries for both parties.
On the Republican side, Trump helped cement former state legislator Jack Ciattarelli's front-runner status when he endorsed him last month. Ciattarelli still has to win a contested primary Tuesday, and he has been sure to remind Republicans that he has the president's support, recently launching a TV ad touting the endorsement.
The Democratic primary is more uncertain, with six well-funded candidates representing different paths for their party. Trump has affected that race, too, with each of the contenders trying to make the case to Democratic voters that they would take on the president.
Pledging to fight
Baraka, though, has cast himself as the candidate who walks the walk when it comes to fighting Trump.
'I think people are clear on the fact that we're going to fight Donald Trump and his policies,' Baraka told NBC News in a phone interview. 'I don't think that that is a doubt in people's mind that we've always done that, and we will continue to do that, and [it's] not just lip service.'
Baraka is suing New Jersey U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, a Trump ally and appointee, alleging that his constitutional rights were violated when he was arrested last month at a federal immigration detention facility. The charges were dropped, but the moment captured national attention and was a flashpoint in the primary race.
'For someone who is willing to stand up for convictions and go and try to do something about it, you got my vote,' said Phillipsburg resident Ginamaria Gino, 55, who said Baraka's arrest moved her to support him in the primary.
Other candidates have also focused on Trump as they make their pitches to voters. According to AdImpact, two-thirds of the TV ads from Democratic candidates and outside groups in the race have mentioned the president.
The include the more moderate candidates in the race, like Rep. Josh Gottheimer, who has centered his campaign on lowering the state's high cost of living. Gottheimer's first TV ad used artificial intelligence to show him sparring with Trump in a boxing ring.
'I've not been afraid to fight with people who screw with us, whether that's Trump or whoever,' Gottheimer told NBC News after rallying with supporters in Woodcliff Lake.
Rep. Mikie Sherrill, who some consider the front-runner, has also talked about taking on Trump.
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