Ex-Democratic lawmaker will endorse Ciattarelli

A former Democratic Assemblyman from Union County is expected to endorse Republican Jack Ciattarelli on July 7, becoming the first former elected official to cross Democratic party lines in the race to succeed term-limited Gov. Phil Murphy.

Jamel Holley, a former Roselle mayor who spent seven years in Trenton as the first Black lawmaker from the 20th district, serves as an advisor and close friend of U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

“This is the right way forward, New Jersey,” Holley said.  “It is critical to recognize that some faith and civic leaders in New Jerey have for years, accepted contributions from political candidates, including budget allotments once those candidates took office. Now, as these funds dry up, they claim it’s because the same political leaders or their associates haven’t delivered results for our communities.”

Former Gov. Christine Todd Whitman, a two-term Republican, has endorsed Democrat Mikie Sherrill.

He worked closely with Republicans on criminal justice and economic development issues, and gained prominence as an avowed opponent of mandatory vaccinations.  It was through that movement that he became close to Kennedy.   Holley was among the speakers when Kennedy announced he would challenge Joe Biden in the 2024 Democratic primaries..

Currently the Roselle Democratic vice chair, Holley was elected councilman at age 25, and seven years later, he ousted Mayor Garrett Smith in the Democratic primary.  He won an Assembly seat three years later.  Holley left the legislature in 2021 to challenge State Sen. Joseph Cryan (D-Union), one of the most liberal members of the Senate, in the Democratic primary; Cryan beat him by 28 percentage points and 62% of the vote.

Holley also emerged as a leader in the development of legislation to legalize cannabis in New Jersey, to restore voting rights for people on probation and parole, and driver education programs aimed at improving police interactions.