Benjie Wimberly Receives Endorsements from Ninth Congressional Faith Leaders

PATERSON, NJ — Today Benjie Wimberly proudly announced another set of community endorsements. The endorsements by Pastors of local Churches cap off another day of grassroots support for Coach Wimberly. Endorsees include:

● Rev. Dr. Calvin McKinney
● Rev. Dr. Lester W. Taylor, Jr.
● Rev. Dr. Randall M. Lassiter
● Rev. Barry Graham
● Rev. James Kuykendall
● Rev. Michael McDuffie
● Rev. William Cash
● Imam A. Quddoos Farra’d
● Pastor Jerry Wilder
● Pastor Linda Stancil
● Pastor Frederick LaGarde, Jr.

Rev. Dr. Calvin McKinney said, “for many years, Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly and I discussed his ascension to the Congressional seat when the time was right, and we are now at such a time. His leadership in Paterson and the greater community speak measurably to his character, his integrity and his faith. He is well equipped, he has stood out amongst high ranking officials, like Governor Phil Murphy and Speaker Craig Coughlin and when he goes to Washington, he will continue to stand out and speak up to bring back resources to the District he will represent. I wholeheartedly support him and wish him God’s blessing.”

Rev. Dr. Randall Lassiter said, “if anyone has been a supporter to the party and an advocate for the voiceless and a friend to the marginalized and Champion for children, Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly, has been that!!! I support him wholeheartedly and his leadership for Congress.”

“Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly has a resume of lifetime service. He has blessed and represented his community, his county, and this state with honor. And he would represent us in Washington with character and wisdom, that’s why I am happy to support him.

For Benjie, it’s more than politics, he is family,” said Rev. Michael McDuffie. In response to the endorsement Benjie Wimberly said,“Our faith leaders know first hand the very many needs of communities and its families. I am humbled to receive the outpouring of support from the faith leaders of our community. For decades we have worked side by side lifting up our community, especially our youth. Together we will continue to ensure our communities are strong and that families will thrive.”

New Jersey’s 9th Congressional district is a D+8 seat.The passing of Congressman Bill Pascrell means this is the first time the seat will be open in decades. The deadline to replace Congressman Pascrell is August 29th.

About Benjie Wimberly

Benjie E. Wimberly was born and raised in Paterson, New Jersey. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Virginia State University, Benjie returned to Paterson and became an integral member of the leadership team of the city. As an educator, coach and public servant, Benjie has made it his life’s work to improve Paterson’s quality of life, to address the needs of city youth, and to be a part of preparing Paterson and its stakeholders for the future.

As such, Benjie served as a special Education teacher at Eastside High School, coach and mentor for the E.H.S. Varsity baseball and football teams, and Director of Paterson Division of Recreation. As the head Baseball Coach at Eastside High School his team won 100 games, the 1993 Passaic County Championship and traveled to Puerto Rico four times for spring training.

He also had two players sign MLB contracts Carlton McKenzie (Pittsburgh Pirates) and Danny
Singletary (Arizona Diamondbacks).

Benjie Wimberly was the former head coach of the Paterson Catholic High School football team in Paterson, N J. Under his leadership, the team won seven State Championships and eight league Championships. He went on to become the Head Football Coach at Hackensack High School, where he won 50 games in nine years and won 3 League Championships.

Coach Wimberly can add to his credit, success stories of former players, such as NFL player Victor Cruz (formerly NY Giants, now Chicago Bears), TJ Clemmings (Washington Commanders), Elijah Schumate (Jacksonville Jaguars) and Al Quandin Muhammad (Dallas Cowboys). Coach Wimberly currently was also a volunteer Coach at St. Joseph’s Regional High School in Montvale. Coach Wimberly has assisted thousands of students and athletes with millions of dollars in scholarships. In January 2024, he was inducted into the NJSIAA Coaches Hall of Fame.

Currently Benjie is serving his seventh term in the New Jersey General Assembly, where he has been named the General Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore as well as Vice Chair of the Budget Committee. In the Assembly he also serves on Housing, Higher Education, the Joint Committee on the Public Schools, Chairman, Joint Committee on Economic Justice, and Equal Employment Opportunity.

In addition to serving in the Assembly, Benjie serves on the NJSIAA (New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association and NJSETC (New Jersey State Employment & Training Commission) as well as President of the New Jersey Minority Coaches Association, which fosters a more active role in recruitment of Minority Coaches.

Benjie is also a life member (#5474) of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.; a member of the NAACP and many boards and commissions. He has collaborated with his non-profit group, PATERSON TEAM HOPE, and community agencies to provide the following services: expungement seminars, tax appeal seminars, foreclosure workshops, go green initiatives, clothing drives, dinner for the needy, toy drives, Project Graduation, Thanksgiving turkey donations, scholarship fundraisers and community clean ups, as well as the Jordan Cleaves Scholarship Fund, where over $60,000 has been given away, to benefit students who attend Virginia State University from New Jersey.

Benjie and his wife Kimberlynn are proud parents of four sons: Justin, Jared, Jordan, and Jaden, with a newly born Grandson, Jayce Noah.
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