New Jersey Assemblyman Jerry Walker today announced that he is seeking election to represent New Jersey’s 31st Legislative District in the State Senate.

Walker will formally announce his candidacy at a campaign rally on Sunday, November 15, at 4:00 PM at 902 Brewing Co., located at 101 Pacific Avenue in Jersey City.

Walker’s decision to file last week followed a thoughtful process in which he weighed personal and professional considerations while reflecting on his lifelong commitment to public service and the future of the communities he represents.

“I did not come to this decision lightly. Over the last several weeks and months, I have seen the results of standing up and fighting for what you believe in, just as I have seen the consequences of looking the other way.

"I want to be clear from the outset that my decision to run for State Senate is not personal. I have tremendous respect for my friend Angela McKnight and her years of service and advocacy in our community, including her work in the nonprofit sector with Rising Tide Capital and AngelaCares.

"However, my lifelong commitment to the people of this district has made one thing clear to me: public service must always come before politics. I believe I can make an even greater impact on the issues that matter most to our residents by serving in the New Jersey Senate.

"My career in public service has been a natural extension of the lessons I learned playing basketball under Coach Bobby Hurley at St. Anthony’s, then at Seton Hall University and with the New Jersey Nets.

"Those experiences taught me the importance of teamwork, sacrifice, hard work, perseverance, and never forgetting where you came from. Those same values have guided me throughout my years serving in Hudson County government and the New Jersey General Assembly, as well as through the work we continue to do in our community with the Team Walker nonprofit organization and the Team Walker Learning Center.

"I also carry with me the guidance and encouragement of the late Senator Sandra Bolden Cunningham, who was not only a respected leader in our community but also a mentor to me. Senator Cunningham believed in my ability to serve, and she shared with me her desire to see me one day succeed her in the State Senate. That is something I have never forgotten. Her commitment to the people of Jersey City and Hudson County continues to inspire me, and I remain grateful for the trust and confidence she placed in me.

"As someone born and raised in Jersey City, I have been fortunate to pursue my dreams and experience opportunities that I never take for granted. But no matter where life has taken me, Jersey City has always been home.

"I know firsthand the challenges our families face because these are the same neighborhoods, schools, and communities that helped shape who I am today.

"Every family deserves access to quality educational opportunities for their children. Every resident deserves to feel safe in their neighborhood. Every senior deserves the opportunity to remain in the community they helped build. And every working family deserves a fair chance to afford a home and build a better future.

"These are not simply political issues to me. These are the everyday concerns of our neighbors, friends, and families.

"I look forward to earning the support of residents throughout the 31st Legislative District so that I can continue fighting for stronger educational opportunities, affordable housing, safer streets, and greater economic opportunities for our communities.

"I believe the friendships I have built throughout my life in Jersey City and Hudson County, along with the relationships I have developed in Trenton and across New Jersey, have positioned me to bring additional resources and opportunities back to the taxpayers and residents of Jersey City, Bayonne, and Kearny.

"This difficult decision became clearer to me when I saw the city I have always called home forced to seek outside assistance to address a significant budget shortfall this year.

"Our taxpayers should not be left carrying the burden of financial challenges without transparency, accountability, and responsible leadership. Residents deserve to know how their tax dollars are being managed and what steps are being taken to protect their financial future.

"That is why I traveled to Trenton alongside several Jersey City Council members to meet with high-level state officials and advocate for the residents of Jersey City.

"For me, that experience reinforced something I have believed throughout my career: leadership is not about waiting for someone else to step forward. It is about being willing to show up, have difficult conversations, and fight for the people you represent.

"I recognize the tremendous responsibility that comes with asking the people of the 31st Legislative District for their support to serve in the State Senate. This is not a decision I made for a title or a position. It is a decision rooted in my belief that I have more to give, more work to do, and more to deliver for the communities that raised me.

"Throughout my life, whether on the basketball court, in the classroom, or in public service, I have learned that the greatest accomplishments happen when people come together around a common goal.

"I intend to continue doing what I have always done: working with local elected officials, school principals, community organizations, labor leaders, and residents to expand educational opportunities, strengthen our neighborhoods, and make our communities safer and more affordable for working families.

"I am proud of where I come from, grateful for the opportunities this community has given me, and committed to continuing the work of making Jersey City, Bayonne, and Kearny stronger for the next generation.

"At the end of the day, this campaign is about the people we serve, the families who call our communities home, and the future we are building together.

"For me, it has always been People Before Politics. And that is the commitment I will continue to carry forward.”

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