Ted Green for Mayor 2025

Mayor Ted R. Green

East Orange

In the story of East Orange, Mayor Ted R. Green stands as a living testament to the power of servant leadership, community-rooted purpose, and relentless determination. Now in his second term as the 14th Mayor of the City of East Orange, Mayor Green’s journey from local son to transformational city leader is one defined by love for community, hope, and hard work.

Affectionately known as “The People’s Mayor,” Mayor Green’s impact is grounded in his upbringing and identity as the proud son of Theodore and Lula Green, both of whom instilled in him a deep passion for giving back. As a proud graduate of East Orange High School, Green has dedicated more than 35 years of committed service to the people of East Orange. His mayoral election win is not only historic as he became the city’s first Muslim mayor, but it is deeply personal. In 2018, he was elected with an overwhelming 96% of the vote. Four years later, he ran unopposed — a reflection of the support, trust and admiration he has cultivated citywide.

 

Previously serving as Third Ward Councilman for 12 years, Mayor Green has always been a

champion of the people, becoming one of the first elected officials in New Jersey to successfully pass moratorium legislation to protect families during the 2008 Foreclosure Crisis. Following the tragic shooting of Tamir Rice in 2014, then-Councilman Green

initiated a crusade to ban the sale of realistic-looking toy guns, a reform measure that was eventually made into New Jersey law in 2020.

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Mayor Green’s unwavering leadership is marked by visible transformation: Over $2 billion in redevelopment projects, a steady rise in the city’s credit rating to A+, significant crime

reduction, and more than $200 million in infrastructure improvements that touch every ward of the city. From restoring beloved parks and firehouses to renovating the East Orange Public Library and making nearly $4 million of enhancements to Main Street, the Green Administration has sparked a renaissance rooted in equity, safety, and civic pride.

In an effort to increase accessibility and accountability, Mayor Green created the “Mayor on the Block” initiative, a boots-on-the-ground initiative where he walks the streets of every ward with key city staff, listening to residents, solving problems in real-time, and ensuring no corner of the city is left behind. His commitment to East Orange's quality of life dramatically reduced vacant and abandoned properties, putting more than 800 homes back on the tax rolls in his first six years in office.

Even amid the greatest public health crisis of our time, Mayor Green’s leadership never faltered. Under his guidance, East Orange became the first city in the nation to host a federally-run statewide COVID-19 testing site, while city operations successfully continued without layoffs or service interruptions. His steady hand during the pandemic saved lives and safeguarded futures.

An advocate for youth, jobs, and opportunity, Mayor Green has increased youth employment by 54%, placed 80% of job seekers through the city’s employment office, advanced legislation that protects homeowners, and expanded training for East Orange residents.

Putting the needs of people first is at the core of many new initiatives that Mayor Green has implemented since taking office. Among his efforts are:

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• The creation of a comprehensive Parking Ticket Review Forgiveness Program to alleviate the financial burden on residents in need.
• The launch of an At-Risk Youth Training Program for residents ages 18-25, aimed at preparing them for competitive job placements in the city's urban revitalization projects.
•  The establishment of the Mayor's Street Engagement Team, which uplifts and empowers young people through proactive one-on-one and community outreach.
• The formation of the Mayor's Youth Advisory Council, which includes elementary, middle, and high school students in community conversations, ensuring they have a voice and a seat at the table in shaping the city’s future.
• The development of the Division of Homelessness Prevention, designed to reduce homelessness, with a mandate that 20% of all new residential units be designated as affordable housing.

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From supporting critical state and federal legislation to having his legacy memorialized with the naming of a senior public housing complex in his honor, Mayor Green has

transformed East Orange into a model of community-focused governance. His work has been recognized with countless awards, including President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper Community Service Award, Essex County’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Award, Outstanding Public Official Award from Omega Psi Phi, Fraternity, Inc., and the New Jersey Governors State Public Service Recognition Award.

Mayor Green is an alumnus of Cheyney University and Lincoln University, a certified housing counselor, and a devoted family man. He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and finds his greatest joy in his role as husband, father, and grandfather. His business, Green’s School of Martial Arts, is a staple in the Third Ward community, and remains a beacon of empowerment and discipline for generations of families in and around East

Orange.

Ted R. Green is not just leading the City of East Orange, he is securing its future. Through integrity, compassion, and visionary leadership, he continues to build a legacy that proves when people come first, progress will follow.