Joint Statement from Chairman Suleiman & African-American Leaders

Atlantic County is now home to vibrant, ever-growing African-American, Latino, and Asian-American communities. Now more than ever, it is imperative that voters of color have more influence on who is elected to office and how our government operates.

While the current County Commissioner map was necessary to preserve minority representation 10 or 20 years ago, we are no longer content with simply one majority-minority district. With a county that itself is on the verge of becoming majority-minority, we must have a County Commissioner map that creates additional minority districts so as to alleviate the suppressed influence that black and brown voters in Atlantic County currently have. To that end, we support the Democratic Commissioners’ proposed map and urge Judge Curio to vote in favor of it.

Our support of the Democratic map does not absolve our past disappointments in the Atlantic County Democratic Committee for not running more candidates of color for higher office. In a county that is 57% white and declining, this is not acceptable and must end.

In addition to supporting this map, and to continue to grow the influence of minority communities, we will identify and support at least one person of color on the Legislative District 2 ticket next year. Given that the new iteration of the district is 49% minority, our legislative ticket must look like Atlantic County. Electing a person of color to represent Atlantic County in the Legislature will be a historic “first” and something we will strongly support.

Additionally, we commit to putting more resources into boosting voter participation and turnout in minority communities, including voter registration drives and educating residents on early in-person voting.

Chairman Michael Suleiman

Dr. Thelma Witherspoon

Atlantic County Commissioner Ernest Coursey

Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small, Sr.

Pleasantville Mayor Judy M. Ward

Atlantic City Councilman Kaleem Shabazz