We have a winner at last coming out of the LD-35 special Democratic convention in Passaic County. On second ballot, Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly tonight unofficially prevailed by one vote over Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter in the senate tilt.
Recreation Director for the City of Paterson, President Pro Tempore of the Assembly, legendary local football coach, and the married father of four, Wimberly comes from a family with deep Silk City roots.
His grandfather and uncle were Philip Randolph labor organizers.
“Knowing you have a legacy, you have to live up to it,” he told InsiderNJ last week in an interview.
In the Legislature, the assemblyman just served as the co-chair of the committee to redesign the primary ballot in New Jersey, in conjunction with a judge’s order. “Taking the line away and trying to neutralize the power of the bosses, per say, was the most significant change,” Wimberly said. “At the end of the day, the people know. Will it have an impact? Some.”
Wimberly said he works with and for the working poor.
“A majority of the people I work with are a couple of paychecks away from being homeless,” he said. “I work to give hope to the hopeless. The reality is many folks [in state government] have to google what goes on in the lives of students, for example. Kids come to school hungry and without coats. The reality is people in this district want housing, healthcare, and food on their tables. These are not issues you campaign on.
“You live them,” he said. “We should not have veterans – people who fought for their country – living in bus stops and unable to get healthcare.”
College affordability?
“We don’t know what’s going to happen with the Department of Education with this new [Trump] Administration,” Wimberly said.
Yet people don’t seem to be convinced government can do much to help, cynicism routinely borne out by low voter turnout in the City of Paterson.
“There is definitely pessimism,” said the assemblyman. “Look, the Democrats had a lot to run on [last year]. But the Republicans attack and we go high. Things like critical race theory and defunding the police – there’s a spin on everything, and the media plays a major role in what people think.”
Wimberly said he hits the barbershops to stay in touch with constituents.
But it’s also just the work he does – children’s recreation, coaching, and community engagement.
In Dunkin Donuts, half the people who walked in on a Thursday morning, made a beeline to his table to talk to him. “You have to find a spark, stick with it, and go hard,” he said of campaign messaging that really reaches people. “Sometimes with the big tent approach you lose a sense of that.”
Wimberly told InsiderNJ he would like to make sure children get access to the programs that made him, his four sons, and the children of Paterson, some of whom – like Victor Cruz, coached by Wimberly, and Tim Thomas – went on to become storied professional athletes. “One of the first things to cut is education and after-school programs,” he said. “That’s not a Donald Trump thing. That’s [state] administration to administration.”
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In a surprising turn of events, incumbent Mayor John Wimberly has secured victory in the Insider NJ election by a narrow margin of just one vote. The race, which was highly contested and closely watched by political analysts, ended with Wimberly edging out his opponent in a nail-biting finish.
Wimberly, who has served as Mayor of the town for the past four years, faced stiff competition from newcomer Sarah Thompson, a local business owner and community activist. The race was marked by intense campaigning, with both candidates vying for the support of voters through town hall meetings, debates, and social media outreach.
Despite the close margin of victory, Wimberly’s win is seen as a testament to his strong track record of leadership and his deep connections within the community. Throughout his time in office, Wimberly has worked tirelessly to improve infrastructure, promote economic development, and enhance quality of life for residents.
In his victory speech, Wimberly expressed gratitude to the voters for their support and pledged to continue working hard on behalf of the town. He also extended an olive branch to Thompson, calling for unity and collaboration in moving the town forward.
The outcome of the Insider NJ election serves as a reminder of the importance of every single vote in shaping the future of a community. It also highlights the unpredictable nature of politics and the need for candidates to engage with voters on a personal level in order to secure their trust and support.
As Wimberly prepares to begin his new term as Mayor, all eyes will be on him to see how he fulfills his promises and addresses the challenges facing the town. With just one vote separating victory from defeat, he will undoubtedly face heightened scrutiny and pressure to deliver on his campaign pledges.
Overall, Wimberly’s victory by a narrow margin of one vote in the Insider NJ election is a reminder that every vote counts and that democracy is a fragile and precious institution that must be safeguarded and nurtured by all citizens.
