Jerry Walker (politician)
Jerry Walker | |
|---|---|
Walker in 2025 | |
| Member of the New Jersey General Assembly from the 31st district | |
| Assumed office January 13, 2026 Serving with William Sampson | |
| Preceded by | Barbara McCann Stamato |
| Member of the Hudson County Board of County Commissioners from the 3rd district | |
| Assumed office 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Gerard Balmir Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | ShaRhonda |
| Education | Seton Hall University (BA) |
| Website | Legislative webpage |
| Basketball career | |
| Personal information | |
| Listed height | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
| Career information | |
| High school | St. Anthony (Jersey City, NJ) |
| College | Seton Hall |
| Position | Forward |
| Number | 21, 44 |
Jeremiah Walker is an American politician, nonprofit executive, and former professional basketball player has represented the 31st Legislative District in the New Jersey General Assembly since taking office in January 2026. Elected in 2025, he previously served on the Hudson County Board of County Commissioners.
Early life and education
A native of Jersey City, New Jersey, Walker was raised in the Marion Section and graduated from St. Anthony High School where he was coached by Bob Hurley. He attended Seton Hall University and played for the men's basketball team, leading them to three NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament appearances in all three of his seasons, including to the West Regional Final in 1992. He was a part of two Big East Conference tournaments and regular season championships. Known for his defensive intensity, he scored over 1,000 points and pulled down 630 rebounds. He was named the Big East Defensive Player of the Year in 1993 and a two-time All-Big East selection.
He returned to Seton Hall and earned a Bachelor of Arts majoring in communications and minoring in religion studies in 2003.[1]
Career
Basketball
In 1993, Walker joined the New Jersey Nets then the Atlantic City Seagulls and later played professional basketball for several European teams.
Nonprofit work
In 1996, Walker and his brother Jasper co-founded Team Walker, a nonprofit focused on inner city children's academic enrichment. In 2011, First Lady of New Jersey Mary Pat Christie honored Walker by naming him a "New Jersey Hero" for his work.
In 2014, The Team Walker Learning Center was built as a community arts center and expanded programming to the entire Hudson County community. Walker also hosts a free Farmers Market for families in District 3 and free G.E.D or ESL classes at the Learning Center.
2013 Jersey City mayoral campaign
In 2013, he ran for mayor of Jersey City as an independent. He placed third with 8.30% of the vote.
Hudson County Board of Commissioners
In 2018, Walker was elected to the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders (renamed the Board of Commissioners in 2020). His primary campaign was supported by the Hudson County Democratic Organization political machine.[2]
2024 congressional campaign
Following the death of Donald Payne Jr. death in 2024, Walker announced he would run in the special election to succeed him. He received endorsements from assemblymembers Barbara McCann Stamato and William Sampson. He also received support from Craig Guy, the Hudson County Executive and chair of the Hudson County Democratic Party— which opted not to endorse in the primary.
He placed third in the Democratic primary election with 9.7% of the vote, behind LaMonica McIver's 47.4% and Derek Armstead's 13.6% respectively.
New Jersey General Assembly
In 2025, Walker announced he would run for the New Jersey General Assembly in the 31st Legislative District after initially mulling a campaign for the 2025 Jersey City mayoral election.[3][4] He garnered endorsements from governor Phil Murphy and U.S. representative LaMonica McIver in the primary election.[5][6] With the support of the Hudson County Democratic Organization, he placed first in the Democratic primary election, advancing to the general election alongside incumbent William Sampson as well as defeating incumbent Barbara McCann Stamato and Bayonne councilmember Jacqueline Weimmer, who were supported by Jersey City mayor Steven Fulop.[7][8]
Personal life
Walker is married to his wife, ShaRhonda, with whom he has a son, Chace, and two daughters, Rochelle and Shannon.[9]
Electoral history
2013
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Steven Fulop | 20,983 | 52.94 | |
| Democratic | Jerramiah Healy (incumbent) | 14,931 | 37.67 | |
| Independent | Jeremiah Walker | 3,290 | 8.30 | |
| Independent | Abdul J. Malik | 407 | 1.03 | |
| Other | Personal Choice | 28 | 0.07 | |
| Turnout | 39,639 | 28.54% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
2024
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | LaMonica McIver | 12,507 | 47.4 | |
| Democratic | Derek Armstead | 3,596 | 13.6 | |
| Democratic | Jerry Walker | 2,568 | 9.7 | |
| Democratic | Darryl Godfrey | 1,815 | 6.9 | |
| Democratic | Brittany Claybrooks | 1,377 | 5.2 | |
| Democratic | Shana Melius | 1,196 | 4.5 | |
| Democratic | Sheila Montague | 966 | 3.7 | |
| Democratic | Alberta Gordon | 756 | 2.9 | |
| Democratic | John Flora | 684 | 2.6 | |
| Democratic | Eugene Mazo | 586 | 2.2 | |
| Democratic | Debra Salters | 316 | 1.2 | |
| Total votes | 26,367 | 100.0 | ||
2025
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jerry Walker | 9,067 | 28.77% | |
| Democratic | William Sampson (incumbent) | 7,708 | 24.45% | |
| Democratic | Barbara McCann Stamato (incumbent) | 7,480 | 23.72% | |
| Democratic | Jacqueline Weimmer | 7,274 | 23.07% | |
| Total votes | 31,529 | 100.00% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Jerry Walker | 33,937 | 37.5% | |
| Democratic | William Sampson (incumbent) | 32,516 | 35.9% | |
| Republican | Anthony Acosta | 12,340 | 13.6% | |
| Republican | Neil Schulman | 11,786 | 13.0% | |
| Total votes | 90,579 | 100.0% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
| Democratic hold | ||||
References
- ^ Husain, Habeeba (November 11, 2013). "Jersey Hero". Slam. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
- ^ Heinis, John (March 22, 2017). "Walker, Torres join veteran Hudson politicos in receiving HCDO endorsement". Hudson County View. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
- ^ Wildstein, David (May 9, 2024). "Jerry Walker Will Run In NJ-10 Special Election, Per Hudson County View". New Jersey Globe.
[Walker] had been exploring another campaign for mayor in 2025, a campaign that might still go forward if his congressional bid isn't successful.
- ^ Wildstein, David (January 3, 2025). "Hudson County prepares for war in three Assembly districts, Sheriff's race". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
- ^ Blackburn, Zach (June 2, 2025). "Murphy backs Sampson, Walker in Hudson Assembly primary". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved June 2, 2025.
- ^ Fox, Joey (June 6, 2025). "McIver endorses slate of Assembly candidates, including Tucker, Sampson, Walker". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
- ^ Fox, Joey. "Sampson, Walker win in LD31; Party-backed ticket won close primary in southern Hudson County district", New Jersey Globe, November 4, 2025. Accessed January 14, 2026. "Assemblyman William Sampson (D-Bayonne) and Hudson County Commissioner Jerry Walker (D-Jersey City) have won two seats in the 31st legislative district, the New Jersey Globe projects, after getting through a competitive Democratic primary against allies of Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop.... This year's Hudson County War, however, threw things out of whack. Sampson stuck with the Hudson County Democratic organization (HCDO), which endorsed Mikie Sherrill for governor, but McCann Stamato remained loyal to Fulop, creating a split in the delegation; the HCDO recruited Walker to beat McCann Stamato, who was joined on her own ticket by Bayonne Councilwoman Jacqueline Weimmer."
- ^ Official List Candidates for General Assembly for Primary Election 06/10/2025 Election, New Jersey Department of State, updated July 17, 2025. Accessed January 14, 2026.
- ^ "Vice Chairperson Jerry Walker". Hudson County. Retrieved December 26, 2025.
- ^ Official List Candidate Returns for Jersey City Mayoral Election For May 2013 General Election Archived February 5, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, Hudson County Clerk's Office, May 17, 2013. Accessed December 23, 2013.
- ^ "Official List, Candidates for House of Representatives For SPECIAL PRIMARY ELECTION 07/16/2024 Election" (PDF). Secretary of State of New Jersey. July 31, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.