Does getting arrested mean you're going to get more votes?

Ras Baraka thinks it can.

Last Friday, the Newark mayor and gubernatorial candidate, was infamously arrested for "trespassing" outside an immigrant detention center in the city. He was released a few hours later.

The next day, Team Baraka sent out a missive urging support and looking for contributions.

"We know that this is Donald Trump's extreme agenda at work and New Jersey needs a leader that is willing to do whatever it takes to protect our state and our people," is how it began.

The point was clear.

If you want a guy willing to stand up to Trump, Ras Baraka is your man.

The mayor's arrest outside Delaney Hall drew criticism from many Democrats.

Reps. Mikie Sherrill and Josh Gottheimer, who are also running for the gubernatorial nomination in the June 10 primary, both sent out statements condemning the arrest. As did Gov. Phil Murphy and Cory Booker.

Tonight (Monday), the newly-freed Baraka will join four of his five competitors for what is called a "live conversation" sponsored by New Jersey PBS.

Besides Sherrill and Gottheimer, the two other candidates are Steve Fulop and Steve Sweeney. Candidate Sean Spiller is excluded because he has not raised enough campaign cash to qualify for public funds. The rules are set by the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission.

All six candidates debated a few months ago, an event that lacked both real debate and passion.

Since then, Sherrill, the frontrunner in the polls, has been criticized by Sweeney and Fulop. She, in turn, went after Fulop last week.

Baraka, meanwhile, prior to his adventure last Friday, recently held a press conference to essentially condemn the entire state Democratic establishment for ignoring the "black and brown" community.

That skirmishing on top of Baraka's arrest figures to spice things up a bit tonight.

No matter what happens, let's consider the impact of Baraka's arrest.

Civil disobedience has a long history in the United States and many of his supporters will view Baraka's arrest through that lens.

The deportation tactics of the Trump Administration have been condemned by just about all Democrats.

Then again, many Democrats may support what Baraka did, but that may not translate into more primary votes for him. Remember, the idea is not merely to win the nomination, but to win the election.

If Baraka gets the nomination, his arrest may not impress the average general election voter.

For example, Bob Hugin, the state Republican chair, gave a hint of what the GOP's view is.

"He’s not just a mayor - he’s running for governor, and this stunt shows exactly what kind of leader he’d be: One who puts political theater ahead of public safety and the rule of law," Hugin said last week.

Nonetheless, one of the intriguing subplots to the Dems' gathering is how the four other candidates react to Baraka's arrest.

Will there be the type of mutual admiration for which politicians are famous?

Or will some look at the arrest in more practical terms - like its impact on the general election?

And what will Baraka say about it?