Holley announces Senate bid

Assemblyman Jamel Holley (D-Roselle), who led a fight in the legislature against a plan to eliminate a religious exemption for vaccinations, today launched a Democratic primary challenge against State Sen. Joseph Cryan (D-Union) in the 20th legislative district.

Holley will give up his Assembly seat to mount an uphill off the line run in the June primary election.

“As I embark on this journey, I will be committed and focused on establishing an agenda designed to create solutions that will bring maximum benefits to residents of Elizabeth, Hillside, Roselle and Union,” Holley said.  “I will work with my colleagues in the state Legislature to establish the groundwork necessary to deepen our reach into all communities in our state, especially into our towns where the needs are so great.”

Holley, 41, was raised by his grandmother in Roselle, benefitting from welfare, food stamps, and Medicaid.

He won a special election for Assembly in 2015 to replace Cryan, who had been elected Union County Sheriff.  He had served as mayor of Roselle from 2012 to 2015 and had previously served as a councilman.

“Over the last 15 years, I have worked diligently to pursue a career in public service aimed at giving back to the community that has given so much to me,” Holley said. “As I reflect on the successes that have been achieved, I can see a blueprint for success that can be shared in the State Senate. Our accomplishments have been the direct result of collaborative efforts on multiple levels of government, with local officials who share my vision of this district’s potential to continually achieve progress.”

There is a third candidate in the race: Jason Krychiw, a progressive activist.  Holley’s anti-vaccine record will likely pre-empt any chance to run to the left of Cryan, who has a solidly liberal record in the legislature.

Cryan will have the Democratic organization line.  He and State Sen. Nicholas Scutari (D-Linden), the county chairman, agreed to a détente last year where they pledged to endorse each other.

Krychiw slammed Holley for his anti-vaxxer record.

“I am a scientist and it is extremely concerning to me how the health and safety of our communities are being put at risk by political ambition. It is not just about the spreading of conspiracies,” Krychiw said.  “It is about every single elected official and party chair who has been silent and allowed them to spread in the first place. The incumbents in this district have failed to lead us through this pandemic and based on this rhetoric, I have no faith they can lead us after it.”