Former Assemblyman Jamel Holley is running for mayor of Roselle.

Holley is a former Roselle Mayor who served in the Legislature representing the 20th District from 2015 to 2022.

He challenged state Senator Joe Cryan (D-20) in the 2021 Democratic Primary and lost off the party line.

This political season he intends to challenge incumbent Mayor Donald Shaw, Roselle’s former recreation director and a prior Holley ally.

Shaw will have the establishment backing of Union County Democratic Party players as he attempts to fend off the former lawmaker who once lent his political support to Shaw and vice versa.

Holley last year started a new firm offering local, state, federal public relations, and political consulting with a focus on economic development, cannabis, environmental issues, housing, public water and sewer systems and not for profit advocacy.

The first African American Assemblyman representing the City of Elizabeth, Township of Union, Borough of Roselle and the Township of Hillside, Holley also served as Mayor and Council President of the Borough of Roselle. Early in life, Holley became the State’s youngest Chief of Staff for any of NJ’s State Legislators when he was appointed by the Deputy Minority Leader.

While in the assembly, Holley established close working relationships with both Democrats and Republicans and was responsible for more than 60 sponsored laws. In addition, Holley served as a Member of the NJ General Assembly Health Committee, Assembly Housing Committee, Vice Chair of Homeland Security and State Preparedness, a Member of The Assembly Women’s and Children’s Committee and Higher Education Committee.