Jamaica-linked candidates hope to make history in New Jersey primary elections today
Published:Tuesday | June 10, 2025 | 12:09 AMLester Hinds/Gleaner Writer
As voters in New Jersey go to the polls in primary elections today, two candidates with Jamaican roots are vying to make history by winning their respective races.
Running for the post of governor is Sean Spiller, who boasts Jamaican lineage through his mother, and Narda Morant, who is running to become the mayor of the city of East Orange.
Spiller is one of six candidates seeking to win the democratic primary to replace outgoing Governor Phil Murphy, who is term-limited.
Spiller, who is currently the mayor of Montclair in New Jersey, has an uphill climb to win the primary.
In the race for governor of New Jersey, there are 10 declared candidates - six Democrats and four Republicans.
Before becoming mayor, Spiller was first elected as councillor for the Third Ward. He successfully ran for mayor on July 1, 2020, and was sworn in as the 21st mayor of Montclair.
Spiller feels that he can replicate his local success at the state-wide level.
Since first being elected, Spiller said he has worked hard to find creative ways to bring in new revenue for his town, and has also looked for greater efficiencies to solve the existing challenges facing the town.
He also serves on the township’s Economic Development Committee, the Finance Committee, and the Education Committee. Additionally, he previously served on the Board of School Estimate, the Public Safety Committee, and Montclair Business Improvement District board.
He believes that his time serving at the local level gives a unique perspective in solving the issues facing the people of New Jersey.
Spiller has said that he is excited for the service that lies ahead and will continue to look at everything through a lens of social justice, racial equality, positive public service policy, and fiscal responsibility, ensuring that New Jersey remains the place that residents want it to be.
ROOTING FOR EDUCATION
An educator for over 20 years, Sean Spiller was a high school science teacher in Wayne. He is a graduate of Montville public schools and completed his undergraduate studies at Rutgers University (Rutgers College) and earned an masters of science degree from Ramapo College.
Involved with educational issues at the local, county, and state levels, he has fought to integrate services and eliminate wasteful spending, while maintaining top-level education for all children.
At Rutgers, Spiller played ice hockey, serving as captain and team liaison to the university while the skaters earned two championships. He has also been a coach for local travel and high school teams, as well as the Rutgers University women’s ice hockey team.
If Morant wins in New Jersey, she would become the first Jamaican and first woman to be that city’s mayor.
Morant was born in Clarendon but grew up in Porus, Manchester. She attended Porus Infant and Primary Schools before going on to Manchester High School.
She left Jamaica for the United States in 1981 at age 14. She lived in the Bronx on her arrival in the US and continued her education at Baruch College, obtaining her degree in business administration and accounting. Shortly after graduating she moved to East Orange in New Jersey. She went on to become a certified teacher.
Morant opened a restaurant in East Orange called Narda’s Restaurant, but was to spend the next 26 years in the classroom. She is also the owner of Narda’s Ginger Juice Bar.
Morant told The Gleaner that she is an educator, small business owner and community advocate.
“My journey has always been grounded in service and I believe in giving back to my community,” she said.
She said East Orange faces deep systemic challenges, such as affordable housing, public parking, job creation and high property taxes.
Morant said that, as mayor, she would champion public safety through community policing with open dialogue; as well as foster economic growth, with an emphasis on supporting small businesses. Another of her platform issues is to ensure housing accessibility and transparency in governance.
“I believe that East Orange needs a mayor who not only listens, but leads with heart. East Orange needs leadership that believes in equity, has integrity, and does not practise politics as usual.”