Adrian Mapp, the four-term mayor of Plainfield, has officially launched his campaign for Congress, seeking to represent New Jersey’s 12th District. Known for his long-standing commitment to public service and community development, Mapp brings a blend of personal resilience and practical experience to the race, emphasizing empathy for residents and a record of tangible results. For updates on political developments across the state, readers can explore our politics section.
Mapp’s path to public office began with a challenging upbringing in Barbados, where early hardships shaped his determination and deep sense of empathy. Raised by his grandmother while his mother worked tirelessly in the United States, Mapp experienced firsthand the struggles faced by families with limited resources. These experiences instilled in him a lifelong commitment to fighting for equitable access to healthcare, housing, and education, and they continue to inform his vision for national leadership.
His political career in Plainfield began under the mentorship of the late Mayor Albert T. McWilliams, whom Mapp credits for introducing him to local politics and inspiring his approach to principled leadership. Despite early setbacks and opposition within Union County politics, Mapp persevered, ultimately becoming chair of the local party and securing his first term as mayor in 2013. Since then, he has been reelected three more times, demonstrating consistent voter confidence in his leadership and vision.
As mayor, Mapp has led transformative initiatives that have reshaped Plainfield’s landscape. He played a central role in revitalizing the Muhlenberg Hospital campus, attracting healthcare providers to restore essential services, including emergency care and behavioral health programs. In housing, Mapp implemented policies that encouraged responsible development, turning previously blighted areas into vibrant economic corridors without displacing long-term residents, a strategy he highlights as a model of equitable urban renewal.
Mapp has also emphasized community-oriented policing and social justice initiatives. Following the killing of George Floyd, he created Plainfield’s Black Lives Matter Plaza and convened a commission to review law enforcement practices, fostering stronger relationships between police and the communities they serve. His approach prioritizes mental health and de-escalation, ensuring that residents in crisis receive appropriate support rather than defaulting to force.
Trained as a certified public accountant, Mapp leverages his financial expertise to manage municipal budgets effectively and create policy solutions that balance fiscal responsibility with progressive priorities. He emphasizes that his experience in navigating complex city finances equips him to address national challenges, from property taxes and affordable housing to childcare funding and equitable access to social services.
With the recent announcement that U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman will not seek reelection, Mapp sees a clear opportunity to extend his leadership to the congressional level. He frames his candidacy around building on Coleman’s legacy, advocating for policies that support working families, protect vulnerable communities, and advance a progressive agenda while remaining focused on practical solutions.
Mapp’s vision for Congress is expansive. He aims to tackle affordability challenges, revisiting the property tax crisis, expanding childcare and all-day kindergarten programs, and creating accessible housing opportunities through optimized tax credits. He emphasizes bipartisan collaboration, stressing the importance of dialogue across party lines to achieve meaningful, long-lasting policy outcomes.
Acknowledging his Democratic primary rivals, including Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds Jackson and Somerset County Commission Director Shanel Robinson, Mapp described them as dedicated public servants, underscoring a respectful campaign atmosphere while asserting his own readiness to represent the diverse and dynamic communities of New Jersey’s 12th District.
Mapp’s campaign will focus on reaching voters across all 32 municipalities in the district, highlighting his record of economic development, public safety improvements, and social equity initiatives in Plainfield as evidence of his capability to deliver results at the national level. His message centers on using experience, empathy, and principled leadership to provide effective representation for constituents and to tackle pressing challenges facing New Jersey families today.
