ROSELLE, NJ — Roselle Mayor Jamel Holley was officially appointed Wednesday, Jan. 21, to fill an open seat in the New Jersey General Assembly representing the 20th Legislative District. He was unanimously chosen by the elected members of the Union County Democratic Committee from the 20th Legislative District municipalities of Elizabeth, Hillside, Roselle and Union.
He will be sworn in to the Assembly in the coming weeks to fulfill the unexpired term of Sheriff Joe Cryan, who resigned the seat earlier this month. Holley was nominated for the position by Cryan and seconded by Frank Cuesta, Elizabeth councilman at large and municipal Democratic chairman; he will be running for the full two-year term in the June 2015 primary election.
“I will be eternally grateful for the opportunity that has been given to me by the members of the Union County Democratic Committee and I pledge to work tirelessly to represent the people of Elizabeth, Hillside, Union and Roselle in the legislature,” said Holley. “I would like to thank everyone that has made this moment possible, from my family and friends to the amazing Democratic leaders who have supported me and made it possible for me to give back to the community that has given me so much.”
The committee meeting was held at L’Affaire Catering Hall in Mountainside and was presided over by Union County Democratic Committee Chairman and Assemblyman Jerry Green and Fanwood Mayor Colleen Mahr, the county’s Democratic Committee’s vice-chairwoman.
Holley announced his campaign for Assembly last week, and was supported by Democratic Party leaders Senator Ray Lesniak of Elizabeth, Elizabeth Mayor Chris Bollwage, Assemblywoman Annette Quijano of Elizabeth, Sheriff Joe Cryan, Freeholders Sergio Granados and Vernell Wright and other local mayors and council members. When he is sworn in he will become the first African-American to represent the 20th District in the legislature.