A Newark native and retired police officer who worked all over the city, Alonzo Herran wants to apply his experience and knowledge to the better maintenance of city government. To that end, he is running for an at-large seat in the May 12th nonpartisan election.

A son of the projects, Herran served for 20 years in the PD, including beat duties in the South Ward, walking the beat in the East Ward, processing prisoners in the court for ten years, and serving as a detective in the first precinct. He also worked as a code enforcement officer and served as the chief-of-staff to former Councilman Joseph McCallum Jr. Herran said he - and his staff - were uninvolved in the troubles that sank the councilman's political career.

The candidate seeks a place in elected office in what most insiders see as one of two very competitive contests in the Newark election cycle this season, with the retirement of At-Large Councilman Carlos Gonzalez and four at-large seats in play. Central Ward Councilwoman Amina Bey versus former Councilwoman Gayle Chaneyfield-Jenkins is another race commanding significant attention.

Herran backs his ally Chaneyfield-Jenkins for the Central Ward Council seat against Mayor Ras Baraka ally Bey, but while he disagrees with Baraka on certain issues, he said he supports the mayor's reelection based on Baraka's amassed experience.

That said, Herran wants to see bolstered morale in city government and the administration of more professional attitudes and services and improved customer service. "People who go in there to pay their taxes get a lot of attitude," Herran said. "There's too much entitlement, emotion and egos."

He wants better oversight of city services like tree pruning, street sweeping, and the elimination of potholes, which are destroying residents' automobile suspension systems, he said.

Herran also wants to oversee police reforms. "We need more community policing," he told InsiderNJ.

In addition, the candidate wants better city planning.

"We are building, building, building - but oftentimes without parking," he said.

If elected, he said he would work to secure more affordable housing in the city and make it a priority to ease expenses - especially rental expenses - on constituents citywide. He would exert tighter controls over the city's distribution of tax abatements to developers.

Herran said he's out there, campaigning hard for an at-large seat.

"I announced my candidacy back in May and I have been on the ground ever since," he said. "I've been at every cookout and block party. I have a name here, as I have been active in the community for years. I also run an independent film company and have a reputation for always giving people chances. People know what I'm standing for. They know I am no puppet and they know that I would not take money from any developer. A lot of people say they're tired, and I am going to listen and speak up for people who don't have a voice.

"The mayor has done a lot of good things in the city," Herran added of Baraka. "If he had a good strong council, he would get a lot more done. The people who surround him have hurt him, and he has directors who sometimes didn't have his best interests at heart."

The candidate's Newark political mentors include Sharpe James, Anthony Carrino, Hank Martinez, Donald Bradley and Chaneyfield-Jenkins.

"I will endorse Mayor Baraka, but with a different council that won't say yes to everything," Herran said.

His formal announcement is below:

My name is Alonzo Herran Jr. I am a Newark native who has served 20 years and retired in 2018 as a Newark Police Detective in 2018. From 2018 to 2023 I had the opportunity to be a Chief of Staff for a councilman for the West ward. During that time I managed several aides and was privileged to serve my community and help resolved hundred of day-to-day complaints that came into our office regarding trash pick-ups, street cleaning, trimming, and code violations issued. After finishing that term in 2022 I then became the assistant manager to a department where I first started out my work career which is Code Enforcement.

Being the assistant manager allowed me to serve the constituents throughout the whole city of Newark. Daily complaints came in from housing violations with no heat and Hot water. Business/Restaurants license to deal with illegal dumping from individuals from within and outside of our city. I have always been a man to lead by my appearance, attitude, and approach. I always stayed away from my emotions, egos and entitlement. In 2025 I decided to run and serve Newark as your next Councilman at Large in 2026.

On Thursday April 2, 2026, I will be premiering my documentary Council at Large at the Newark Cityplex theatre.