Jamel Holley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jamel Holley
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| Member of the New Jersey General Assembly from the 20th District | |
| In office January 21, 2015 – January 11, 2022 Serving with Annette Quijano
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| Preceded by | Joseph Cryan |
| Succeeded by | Reginald Atkins |
| Mayor of Roselle, New Jersey | |
| In office January 1, 2012 – January 21, 2015 |
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| Preceded by | Garrett Smith |
| Succeeded by | Christine Dansereau |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Jamel Curtis Holley
September 13, 1979 |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residences | Roselle, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Education | |
Jamel Curtis Holley (born September 13, 1979) is an American politician from the Democratic Party in New Jersey. He served in the New Jersey General Assembly, representing the 20th Legislative District, from 2015 to 2022. He was the first African American to represent this district. Before that, he was a councilman and then the mayor of Roselle, New Jersey. At 32 years old, he was the youngest mayor in Roselle's history. After his time in the Assembly, Holley ran for the New Jersey State Senate in 2021 and for Mayor of Roselle in 2023, but was not elected.
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Early Life and Education
Jamel Holley grew up in Roselle, New Jersey. He graduated from Abraham Clark High School in 1997. He then went on to college, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from New Jersey City University in 2002. Later, he received a Master of Public Administration from Kean University in 2006.
In 2001, when he was still quite young, Holley became the Chief of Staff for Neil M. Cohen, who represented New Jersey's 20th Legislative District. This made him the youngest Chief of Staff for any of New Jersey's 120 lawmakers at the time. He also works for the town of Irvington as the Director of Public Works.
Political Career
Jamel Holley began his political journey in 2004.
Becoming a Councilman
On November 2, 2004, Holley was elected as a Councilman at Large in the Borough of Roselle. At 25 years old, he became the youngest Councilman in Union County. He was also chosen to be a committee member at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. He was re-elected to his Councilman seat the following year.
Serving as Mayor of Roselle
In November 2011, Holley was elected Mayor of the Borough of Roselle. He became the youngest mayor in Roselle's 117-year history. He ran for mayor without opposition after winning the Democratic primary election in June against the two-term mayor, Garrett Smith. Holley officially started his term as mayor on January 1, 2012, and was inaugurated on January 6, when he was 32 years old.
During his time as mayor, Holley and the Roselle Borough Council asked President Barack Obama and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to look into civil rights concerns related to a 2012 shooting case. Roselle was the first town in Union County to make such a request to the Obama administration.
Joining the New Jersey Assembly
In 2015, Democratic committee members from the 20th district chose Jamel Holley to fill an Assembly seat. This seat became open when Joseph Cryan resigned to become the Union County Sheriff. Holley then won two more two-year terms in the Assembly, serving alongside his Democratic running mate, Annette Quijano.
Assembly Committees
While serving in the New Jersey Assembly, Holley was a member of important committees:
- Homeland Security and State Preparedness
- Health and Senior Services
2021 State Senate Election
In January 2021, Holley announced he would run against Joseph Cryan in the primary election for the New Jersey State Senate. The primary election took place on June 8, 2021. Holley was not successful in this election.
Images for kids
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Jamel Holley
