2021 Democratic Primary: Essex County Sheriff Race Pits Fontoura vs. Arnold – TAPinto.net

NEWARK, NJ — The Essex County Sheriff Democratic primary pits incumbent Armando Fontoura against challenger, John Arnold Jr., in next week’s election as voters will decide on years of experience or a new outlook to the role. 

For the first time in nine years, Fontoura will face an opponent in the Democratic primary. He is currently the longest-serving sheriff in Essex County history and is seeking an 11th term.

Arnold, who served as Newark Deputy Police Director from 2014 to 2016, announced in April that he would challenge the incumbent for the Democratic nomination. A general election win would make Arnold the first African American sheriff in Essex County’s 339-year history.

Fontoura was challenged in the 2009 and 2012 primaries but ran unopposed in 2015 and 2018, according to the Essex County Clerk’s Office website. Arnold previously ran unsuccessfully against Fontoura in the 2012 Democratic primary.

This time around, Arnold explained that, if elected, he can bring what he believes is a much-needed change to the sheriff’s office.

Ahead of the June 8 election, he has garnered notable endorsements from Black clergy and law enforcement organizations. He also received unanimous support from The Superior Officers of Essex County Department of Correctional Police and Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 106.

“The current sheriff has been in office for 30 years and it shows. The office is run down, plagued with lawsuits of discrimination against women, religious and voting freedoms, its officers who have requested to be trained before the George Floyd era have still not been trained post-George Floyd,” Arnold told TAPinto Newark in a statement. “The sheriff has allowed his office to be understaffed, the top levels of leadership of the Sheriff’s office lacks experience, and the sheriff doesn’t police the communities of Essex equally, specifically the Black and brown communities who have faithfully voted for and put him in office year after year.” 

During Arnold’s tenure as deputy police director, he initiated a Special Enforcement/Intelligence Unit which investigated major crimes within Newark, spearheaded the police department’s Office of Clergy and Community Affairs, which was responsible for building “foundational” relationships between the community and the department; and headed the Legal Affairs/Advocate Unit and the Situational Awareness and Special Activities Unit. 

Prior to that, he served in the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office from 1987 to 2010, rising through the ranks from county detective to captain of detectives, commanding a number of high profile divisions including Homicide, Gang and Narcotics (VIPER) Unit, Child Abuse Unit and the Adult Trials Unit respectively.

While Arnold may be determined to top incumbent Fontoura in this year’s primary, he will be up against decades of experience in the 24-year veteran of the Newark Police Department. 

Fontoura assumed office in 1990 and is the dean of the New Jersey sheriff’s delegation. He heads the largest and most active sheriff’s department in New Jersey.

Prior to his election as sheriff, Fontoura rose through the ranks of the Newark Police Department, starting in 1967. During his 24 years in Newark, he earned the rank of captain and served as chief assistant to the police director. As chief assistant, he helped formulate policy, issued daily directives and was responsible for the Office of Public Information.

Now up for re-election, Fontoura has received major endorsements from The Newark Police Superior Officers’ Association, Gov. Phil Murphy, former Gov. Richard Codey and Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair). 

Just days away from the primary, the incumbent told TAPinto Newark that he felt voters should cast their ballots for him based upon his track record and years of experience as Essex County Sheriff.

“As a career law enforcement officer, I believe I have proved to have the experience, expertise and skills necessary to supervise and direct the daily operations of a major public safety and emergency management Department,” Fontoura said. “Throughout my tenure in office, the Essex County Sheriff’s Office has achieved resounding acclaim and an excellent national, statewide and local both reputation within the law enforcement community and with our neighbors for our many successful and highly innovative initiatives, especially those measures we have taken to combat the threats of gangs, guns, narcotics crimes, and, most recently, our most prominent role in assisting our public health partners in our fight against COVID-19.” 

Both candidates will also run against Barry Jackson in the Democratic primary.