Former Congressman Jamaal Bowman Endorses Ali Aljarrah for Passaic County Commissioner

PASSAIC COUNTY, NJ — Today, former Congressman Jamaal Bowman endorsed Ali Aljarrah for Passaic County Commissioner. Bowman, a former middle school principal and national progressive standard-bearer, cited Ali’s policy bonafides and the urgent need for a new generation of Democratic leadership as reasons for his endorsement.

“I’m proud to endorse Ali Aljarrah for Passaic County Commissioner, because Ali is running to make Passaic County more affordable and more responsive to the people who live here, not political insiders,” said former Congressman Jamaal Bowman (D-NY). “He’s focused on bringing down costs for working families, investing in safer and more reliable transportation, and making sure that county government is actually delivering for everyday people. Ali represents a new generation of leadership that understands the urgency of this moment and has the courage to challenge the status quo. Passaic County deserves that kind of leadership, and that’s why I’m proud to support him.”

“Congressman Bowman fights for justice, even when he fights alone. I’m honored to earn his support in this fight,” said Ali Aljarrah. “Congressman Bowman is right: we need people who understand the urgency of the moment we’re in. Passaic County is in the grips of an affordability crisis, and the style of leadership and culture of politics that brought us to this point won’t get us out of it. That’s why I’m running to expand mass transit, build real affordable housing, and stand up to corruption wherever I see it. The community I’ve called home my whole life deserves nothing less.”

The primary election is on June 2, 2026.

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Ali Aljarrah is a civil rights leader, policy advocate, and the progressive choice for Passaic County Commissioner. Born to Iraqi immigrants, Ali Aljarrah is a senior adviser at CAIR Action NJ who helped win some of the biggest policy fights in New Jersey over the last few years. He helped protect First Amendment rights, enshrined immigrant protections into state law, and championed legislation to make polluters pay for climate resilience efforts. Now, he’s running for Passaic County Commissioner to build more affordable housing while lowering everyday costs, expand mass transit, clean up the county’s rivers, and protect Passaic County residents from the violence coming out of the Trump administration.