NEWARK - The Central Ward City Council seat vacated last year by Lamonica McIver’s election to Congress will have a female successor who was backed by Mayor Ras J. Baraka and McIver herself.

Following a neck-and-neck special election, Amina Bey won the Central Ward seat by a 98-vote margin with 3,302 votes, according to results certified by the Essex County Clerk’s Office on Wednesday. She garnered 39.4% of the 8,381 votes cast.

Bey is making history, as she will be the first Muslim elected to the governing body in the state’s largest city.

In an emailed statement, Bey said she remains committed to building a “S.A.F.E.R.” Central Ward, advocating for the city’s Seniors, Affordability, Food Security, Economic Mobility and Responsible Development.

"Most importantly, I will lead with in

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