NEWARK - Five candidates running for the vacant Newark Central Ward City Council seat faced off in a rowdy debate on Thursday night, which ended in one candidate suspending his campaign and walking off the stage.

It was standing room only at Bethany Baptist Church, where the NAACP Newark hosted the “meet the candidates” event, as nearly 200 city residents listened to how each candidate would approach issues affecting the Central Ward.

Five candidates are vying for the Newark Central Ward City Council seat left vacant since last September when LaMonica McIver resigned to take her position in the U.S. House of Representatives.

They will compete for the approximate six-month council term in a non-partisan Nov. 4 special election. Whoever garners the most votes this November will serve

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