Lionel Leach for Orange: Seasoned Leadership for Our Future

Orange doesn’t need more politics that overlook families; it needs experienced leadership focused on results. I’m Lionel Leach, and I’m running because I believe Lionel Leach for Orange means bringing 35+ years of legislative experience to the challenges residents face, from high property taxes to infrastructure needs and limited opportunities for young people.

I know Orange residents want practical action, not promises that fade after an election. I’ll share how my record, including drafting 178 pieces of legislation with the Office of Legislative Services signed into law and growing youth participation in USATF from 53,000 to 86,000, can help advance priorities for our community. I’ll also explain how I learned to stand up for people, even when powerful political interests push back. Here’s why I believe my experience can help Orange pursue responsible tax relief, stronger infrastructure, and more opportunities for youth through sports and education.

Table of Contents

• The Case for Veteran Leadership in Orange, NJ

• A Record of Results: 178 Laws and $1 Billion for Our Communities

• Why I Am Running: A Commitment Born of Resilience

The Case for Veteran Leadership in Orange, NJ

Good intentions matter, but effective governance also takes experience with how policy is developed and advanced. I bring 35+ years of government-affairs experience across federal, state, and local levels. I’ve learned that turning community concerns into action requires listening, building understanding, and knowing how to work through the legislative process.

I learned government and policy from Mayor Sharpe James, Congressman Donald Payne, Assemblyman Donald Tucker, Newark Councilman Branch, and Mayor Robert Bowser, Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver was also a close mentor. Their example helped shape my understanding of public service and the importance of connecting policy decisions to people’s needs.

My experience in youth leadership is also reflected in this video:

Bridging the Gap Between Policy and People

I served as Legislative Director for Senator Ronald L. Rice for 14 years. That work showed me how community concerns can inform state policy through listening, collaboration, and persistence. From 2009 to 2021, I also served as Executive Director of the NJ Legislative Black Caucus, where I worked to build consensus among stakeholders with different perspectives.

My union experience has reinforced the value of representation and negotiation. I’ve worked with the Communications Workers of America (CWA), and I would bring that steady, community-centered approach to Orange: listen closely, work across levels of government, and keep residents’ priorities in view.

A Record of Results: 178 Laws and $1 Billion for Our Communities

I drafted  with the Office of Legislative Services 178 pieces of legislation signed into law and secured $1 billion for recreational and infrastructure facilities in urban areas. Those achievements reflect the persistence it takes to move priorities forward and secure resources. I want to bring that experience to Orange as residents work toward stronger infrastructure and more opportunities for young people.

My public advocacy has also included serving as Regional and State Director of the NAACP National Voter Fund, where I registered 36,000 new voters for the 2004 election cycle. I’ve organized taxi drivers and worked to ensure their concerns are heard. Clear communication matters in that work, and I share more in my guide to effective communication with policymakers.

Standing Up to Political Machines

I’ve supported candidates I believed were right for the community, even when that meant standing apart from prevailing political interests. I helped elect Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman when my union supported someone else, and Senator Ronald L. Rice sent me to help Derek Armstead pursue the mayor’s office against the Union County Democratic machine. Those experiences strengthened my commitment to independent leadership.

I also stood against the Catholic Archdiocese of Newark’s effort to monopolize the headstone industry, and I stopped that takeover. In union leadership, I defeated a three-term incumbent in the contest for CWA Local 1039 president. To learn more about my work and priorities for Orange, visit my background and community work.

Why I Am Running: A Commitment Born of Resilience

I lost my mother, Senator Ronald L. Rice, and Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver within a four-month span. My mother and Sheila, one of my closest mentors, were part of my backbone. Losing them within 24 hours of each other changed me. Grief deepened my understanding of service: it means showing up for people and continuing the work that matters, even through difficult times.

I’m running for office in Orange to put what I’ve learned in public service to work for residents. I hear concerns about rising property taxes, and I want to bring experience, care, and accountability to the effort to address them. I can’t promise simple answers, but I can commit to listening and working toward responsible choices for families.

A Future for Our Youth and Our City

As National Youth Chairman for USATF, I helped grow youth athlete participation from 53,000 to 86,000. I saw how sports can create opportunities, build confidence, and give young people room to thrive. I want to bring that same commitment to Orange, alongside stronger opportunities through education and community programs.

I also want to apply practical lessons in efficiency. In Essex County, a model I worked with contributed to a 45% decrease in paper purchases. I would look carefully at where responsible efficiencies could help protect taxpayer resources in Orange. My public service has also included voter outreach involving 36,000 voters. I believe residents deserve honest government partnerships and a meaningful voice in decisions that affect their families.

For me, Lionel Leach for Orange is a commitment shaped by loss, strengthened by experience, and focused on the city’s future. I want to honor the example of Senator Rice and Sheila Oliver by serving with resilience, integrity, and a clear focus on Orange’s residents.

Let’s Build Orange’s Future Together

I believe Orange deserves leadership that listens to residents and knows how to turn priorities into action. My 35+ years of legislative leadership have taught me how to work through complex policy challenges, and my record includes 178 pieces of legislation signed into law and $1 billion secured for urban infrastructure and recreation. I want to bring that experience to the concerns Orange families raise, including property taxes, infrastructure, and opportunities for young people.

For me, Lionel Leach for Orange means building on a lifetime of public service with a clear commitment to this community. I’m ready to keep listening, work with residents, and pursue practical progress for our city. If you share that hope for Orange’s future, join the movement and support Lionel Leach for Orange. Together, we can move forward with purpose and give our families reason to believe in what comes next.

Frequently Asked Questions

How will Lionel Leach address property taxes in Orange, NJ?

I would address Orange’s property-tax concerns by examining how municipal resources are used, pursuing responsible efficiencies, and listening to residents about budget priorities. My experience includes a paper-less legislation program that reduced paper purchases by 45%, which gives me a practical example of efficiency work. I won’t promise a specific tax cut without a grounded plan; my focus is careful, accountable decisions for Orange families.

What is Lionel Leach’s experience with the NJ Legislature?

I bring more than 35 years of government-affairs experience, including service as Legislative Director for Senator Ronald L. Rice from 2008 to 2022 and Executive Director of the New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus from 2009 to 2021. I also drafted 178 pieces of legislation signed into law. That background helps me understand how policy is developed and advanced in New Jersey.

How has Lionel Leach supported youth programs through USATF?

I supported young people as National Youth Chairman of USA Track & Field from 2006 to 2015. During that time, athlete participation grew from 53,000 to 86,000 among young people ages 8–18. I also established the National Youth Indoor Championships, which hosted 3,000 athletes per year. I want to bring this experience in youth sports and development to my work for Orange.

What legislation has Lionel Leach successfully drafted for NJ?

I drafted 178 pieces of legislation that were signed into law by New Jersey’s governor. The information I’ve shared here doesn’t list individual bill titles, so I won’t attribute specific policies to those laws without documentation. I can say this record reflects hands-on experience drafting legislation and understanding how proposals move through the state process.