Race For Essex County Sheriff Heats Up: 2021 Primary Election

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The longest-serving sheriff in Essex County history has a fight on his hands for the Democratic Party nomination in the 2021 primary election.

Armando Fontoura, a Fairfield resident, took over the reins of the largest sheriff's department in the state in 1990. His current term ends on Dec. 31. Read More: Essex County's Longest-Serving Sheriff Seeks Re-Election

On June 8, Fontoura will face a challenge from John Arnold Jr., a former deputy director with the Newark Police Department who would become the first African-American sheriff in the county's 339-year history. Read More: Ex-Cop, Pastor With Newark Ties Running For Essex County Sheriff

Fontoura and Arnold also face a third candidate for the Democratic nomination, Barry Jackson, who filed to run in the primary. The Republican candidates for sheriff in the 2021 primary election are Nicholas G. Pansini and Maureen Edelson.

Learn more about Fontoura and Arnold below.

ARMANDO FONTOURA

Before taking office in Essex County, Fontoura rose through the ranks of the Newark Police Department, launching his law enforcement career in 1967.

Along with his law enforcement background, Fontoura previously worked as a teacher in the Newark public school system after earning his bachelor's degree in education at Newark State Teacher's College, now Kean University.

"We are living in the most challenging of times," Fontoura stated in his campaign announcement.

"In addition to the usual threats to our public safety by criminal activity, the officers from our department have played a vital and heroic role in maintaining the peace in the wake of major protests and demonstrations against systemic racism and during the testing and vaccination programs to combat a deadly pandemic," the sheriff said.

"While some in our community may have the option of working from home during COVID-19, that is not an option for us," added Fontoura, who recovered from a bout with the coronavirus himself in 2020.

In addition to Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. and Essex County Democratic Chairman Leroy Jones, Fontoura has picked up endorsements from two U.S. congress members from New Jersey: Rep. Mikie Sherrill (District 11) and Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (District 10).

Here’s what each had to say:

Mikie Sherrill – “Reinforced by his years of law enforcement experience in Newark, Sheriff Fontoura came to the Essex County Sheriff's Office with the mindset to improve the department, a reason why the voters have reelected him time and time again. Under Sheriff Fontoura's lead, Essex County has made strides to reduce crime, revitalize court security, and get guns off the streets. As a former federal prosecutor and Gun Sense Candidate, I am proud to work with and join Sheriff Fontoura in his relentless calls for gun reform. Sheriff Fontoura and his office have played a critical role in Essex County's response to the coronavirus pandemic. Through his support, Essex County has been a national model in testing and vaccinating, a testament to his leadership and vigilance. It is for these reasons that I announce my endorsement of Sheriff Armando Fontoura's reelection as Essex County Sheriff.”

Donald Payne – “As a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security and as chairman of the House Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery, I have frequently called on Sheriff Fontoura for his expertise on issues such as domestic terrorism and infrastructure security. He has also shared his knowledge with us by testifying before our congressional committee. In the area of law enforcement, Sheriff Fontoura's department continues to have remarkable success throughout Essex County and, in particular, the City of Newark.”

JOHN ARNOLD JR.

Meanwhile, Arnold – who served as Newark's Deputy Police Director from 2014 to 2016 and in the Essex County Prosecutor's Office from 1987 to 2010 – has racked up some high-profile endorsements of his own.

They include:

New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association President Patrick Colligan – “John Arnold has excellent law enforcement experience having served in the state’s biggest city as Newark’s Deputy Police Director. With low morale penetrating state, local and county law enforcement ranks, Deputy Director Arnold is the right candidate to lead the men and women serving in the Essex County Sheriff’s Office. He has the skills and experience to restore public trust in law enforcement while meeting the challenges facing county officers.”

Steffie Bartley, senior pastor of New Hope Baptist Church/northeast regional director for National Action Network (NAN) – “It was through John’s leadership that NAN and the [attorney general’s] office started a program in Newark where Essex County pastors took to the streets to become chaplains and created transparent community dialogues to address concerns in the wake of police misconduct across the country.”

Jerry Smith, senior pastor at Transcend Worship Center and vice president of NAN’s Irvington, New Jersey Chapter – “As a pastor, the community comes to us for answers and I am often called to deliver eulogies for residents that are victims of crime, gun violence, and even victims of police misconduct and excessive force, and community members need a leader like John Arnold that will be an accountable advocate for us.”

“Communities across the nation are demanding reform and transparency in law enforcement,” Arnold said in his campaign announcement, adding that he plans to “bring true reform and change” to policing in the county.

Areas of reform that Arnold has pledged to address include community-based initiatives and working partnerships, mandatory body cameras, enhanced training, diverse and “fair hiring practices.”

Arnold, who served in the United States Marine Corps, also holds numerous international martial arts awards. He began his career in law enforcement in 1985 as a police officer for the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.

Arnold is also an ordained pastor who in 2010 founded The Temple of Refuge Church, in Newark. In 2016 he was installed as the pastor of WhoSoEver Will Church in Plainfield, and is currently on the executive board and also serves as superintendent of the northern district for the Covenant Kingdom Ministries International headquartered in Bloomfield.

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