Ras Baraka Sworn In As Newark's New Mayor
NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Newark has a new mayor.
Former councilman Ras Baraka, 45, took the oath of office Tuesday during a ceremony in front of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.
Baraka is the son of the late poet, activist and author Amiri Baraka. He defeated former state deputy attorney general Shavar Jeffries at the polls in May, following a long, contentious and sometimes ugly campaign between the two.
Baraka replaces Luis Quintana, a city councilman who was temporarily handed the keys to the city after then-Mayor Cory Booker won a special election last year to fill the seat of the late Sen. Frank Lautenberg.
Booker was among those expected to attend Tuesday's ceremony. Others included U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, former Newark mayors Sharpe James and Kenneth Gibson, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop and former New York Mayor David Dinkins.
Former New Jersey Gov. Richard Codey administered the oath of office.
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