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. He served in the New Jersey General Assembly for 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. In 2021, Holley tried to become a State Senator but did not win. Two years later, he ran for mayor of Roselle again but also lost.
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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 to New Jersey City University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice in 2002. Later, he received a Master of Public Administration from Kean University in 2006.
In 2001, when he was just 22, he became the Chief of Staff for Neil M. Cohen, a legislator from New Jersey's 20th Legislative District. This made him the youngest Chief of Staff for any of New Jersey's 120 lawmakers. Today, he works for the city of Irvington as the Director of Public Works.
Political Career
Jamel Holley began his political journey in 2004. On November 2, 2004, he won the election for Councilman at Large in Roselle. At 25, 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 council seat the following year.
Mayor of Roselle
In November 2011, Holley was elected Mayor of Roselle. He became the youngest mayor in the borough's 117-year history. He ran for mayor without any opponents in the general election after winning the Democratic primary in June. He officially started his term on January 1, 2012, and was inaugurated on January 6, when he was 32 years old.
As mayor, Holley supported other politicians. For example, he joined nearly 50 other Union County Democrats in supporting Newark Mayor Cory Booker when he ran for the U.S. Senate in 2013. He also supported Raymond Lesniak for his successful re-election to the New Jersey Senate.
After a major court case in 2013, Mayor Holley and Roselle's Borough Council asked President Barack Obama and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to look into civil rights concerns related to the case. Roselle was the first town in Union County to ask the Obama administration for further review.
New Jersey Assembly
In 2015, Jamel Holley was chosen by Democratic committee members to fill an Assembly seat. This seat became open when Joseph Cryan resigned to become the Union County Sheriff. Holley was chosen unanimously. Since then, he won two more two-year terms in the Assembly, serving alongside his Democratic running mate, Annette Quijano.
Committees
As an Assemblyman, Holley served on important committees:
- Homeland Security and State Preparedness
- Health and Senior Services
Recent Elections
In January 2021, Holley announced he would challenge Joseph Cryan for a seat in the New Jersey State Senate. The primary election was held on June 8, 2021. Holley lost this election to Cryan.
He also ran for mayor of Roselle again in 2023 but was not successful.
Electoral History Summary
Jamel Holley has participated in several elections throughout his career.
- 2021 New Jersey State Senate Primary: He ran for State Senate and received 33.5% of the votes, losing to Joseph Cryan, who won with 62.5%.
- 2019 New Jersey Assembly General Election: He was re-elected to the Assembly. He received 12,437 votes (38.48%), placing second behind his running mate Annette Quijano.
- 2017 New Jersey Assembly General Election: He was re-elected to the Assembly. He received 23,790 votes (44.6%), again placing second to Annette Quijano.
- 2015 New Jersey Assembly General Election: He was elected to the Assembly for the first time. He received 11,568 votes (37.8%), placing second to Annette Quijano.
