Jerry Walker (politician)
American politician from New Jersey
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jeremiah Walker is an American politician, nonprofit executive, and former professional basketball player who 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.
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Jerry Walker | |
|---|---|
Walker in 2025 | |
| Member of the New Jersey General Assembly from the 31st district | |
| Assumed office January 13, 2026 | |
| 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 |
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 | ||||