Paterson lawyer to enter 35th District Assembly race, challenging Democratic ticket

PATERSON — Kenyatta Stewart, a prominent lawyer with strong ties to Paterson community groups, has emerged as a candidate for state Assembly, representing what political insiders say is a serious threat to the ticket backed by Democratic Party leaders.

Stewart is holding a party on Thursday night at the Bonfire Restaurant and Lounge in Paterson to announce his candidacy, and political figures said they will be paying extra attention to see who shows support by attending.

The Passaic County Democratic Organization already has backed former Paterson Councilman Al Abdelaziz and Greater Paterson Chamber of Commerce Director Orlando Cruz in the primary for the two 35th District Assembly seats. Abdelaziz was appointed by party leaders about a month ago to fill the Assembly seat that became vacant when Benjie Wimberly moved up to the state Senate.

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Stewart works as Mayor Ras Baraka’s law director in Newark. He will be part of the mayor's local campaign ticket in Baraka’s run for governor.

Stewart said he has worked on a "progressive legislative agenda" in Newark, including laws that provide tenants with legal counsel in disputes with landlords, inclusionary zoning laws to mandate affordable housing, and a civilian complaint review board, albeit one that lacks subpoena power.

Stewart said he doesn't want to get involved in the squabbling that has shaped Passaic County Democratic politics in the past year.

"I have no criticism about the Democrats in Passaic County; I'm just going to let the people pick me," Stewart said. "I have nothing negative to say about any of the people I'm running against."

Stewart’s entry in the Assembly primary places Wimberly in a challenging position.

But Stewart has been a longtime supporter and ally of Wimberly. The two have the same political activists as their base of support, especially within Paterson’s African American community.

Wimberly on Tuesday declined to comment on Stewart’s candidacy.

Kenyatta Stewart

Abdelaziz cited what he described as the “combined public service experience” of Wimberly, Cruz and himself.

“With or without Kenyatta in the upcoming primary election, our focus remains on a campaign promoting unity, community engagement, and advocacy for our entire legislative district,” Abdelaziz said.

Cruz could not be reached for comment for this story.

Stewart posted a flyer about Thursday’s announcement on his Facebook page, and on Monday he filed papers with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission setting up his campaign bank account for his Assembly run. But Stewart has not spoken publicly about his plan.

Political strategists said Stewart’s chances in the primary may depend on how well he does among Paterson voters in a legislative district where the city has more than half the votes.

The 35th District also includes Haledon, North Haledon, Prospect Park and the Bergen County towns of Elmwood Park and Garfield.

There has been speculation that Garfield Councilman Romi Herrera also may run in the primary.

Along with Abdelaziz, Shavonda Sumter represents the 35th District in the Assembly. But she announced about a week ago that she would not be running for reelection.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Paterson NJ lawyer to enter Assembly 35th District race