Below is a statement from Mayor Mapp declaring his intent to run for the District 12 Congressional seat, which will be vacant following the retirement of Bonnie Watson Coleman:

Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman has been a moral north star for the people of New Jersey. Her leadership in Congress has uplifted working families, defended civil rights, and expanded opportunity for communities across our state. Her legacy of conviction, compassion, and principled service is one we deeply honor. Plainfield, and the entire 12^th Congressional District, have benefited profoundly from her voice and her vision. We move forward committed to carrying that legacy with integrity, courage, and respect for every person she served.

And today, with that legacy in mind, I stand ready to meet this moment. Hence, I am humbly, but confidently, announcing my intention to run for Congress in CD-12.

For nearly three decades, I have dedicated my life to public service, serving as a Councilmember, County Commissioner, and now Mayor of Plainfield. I have led with discipline, transparency, and a deep commitment to delivering measurable results. I have championed policies that strengthen working families, including paid sick leave, an increased minimum wage, marriage equality, and unwavering support for LGBTQ+ rights. These are not abstract ideals to me; they are core values that shape the kind of communities we build and the opportunities we expand.

I have never shied away from the tough fights or the difficult decisions. I have rolled up my sleeves, listened to the people, and delivered measurable results. And every step of that journey has prepared me for the responsibility of serving the 12th Congressional District

At a time when too many national voices promote distrust and division, our district needs leaders who rise above the noise and stay focused on real solutions that improve people’s lives. NJ-12 Congressional District is a strong, diverse, middle-class district, and our families deserve a representative who understands both their challenges and their aspirations. We cannot afford politics that tear communities apart. We need leadership rooted in unity, integrity, and the belief that every person in this district deserves to be heard and seen.

Our district is facing real pressures: rising costs, housing that’s increasingly out of reach, and healthcare that remains too expensive. Small businesses are fighting to survive. Infrastructure is aging. And across the nation, our most fundamental rights, including the right to vote, are under siege. These aren’t abstract policy debates. These are kitchen-table issues; they demand leaders with experience, clarity, and a results-driven approach.

As Mayor, I delivered exactly that. Under my leadership, Plainfield created and preserved hundreds of units of affordable housing, repaved miles of neglected roads, reduced crime to historic lows, consistently maintained a strong credit rating, and strengthened economic opportunity for residents and businesses alike. We modernized infrastructure, attracted investment, supported small businesses, and demonstrated what is possible when government works with urgency and discipline.

That is the kind of leadership I intend to bring to Washington.

On day one, I will introduce legislation to address the affordability crisis head-on. This includes building and preserving affordable housing, expanding the mortgage interest deduction, restoring fairness to the SALT deduction for high-property-tax states like New Jersey, and ensuring homeownership remains within reach for middle-class families. I will also fight for universal access to quality healthcare, protect voting rights, strengthen public education, invest in infrastructure, and expand economic opportunity for families and businesses throughout our district.

I am running because service is my calling. I am running because New Jersey’s middle class deserves a fighter. And I am running because the people of the 12th District deserve a representative who will deliver, not just promises, but progress.

I am ready to serve. I am ready to lead. And with your support, we will build the next chapter of progress together.