Medinah Muhammad is a lifelong Essex County resident, public servant, and community advocate whose career has been dedicated to advancing equity, strengthening communities, and building pathways for opportunity. Her candidacy for Essex County Commissioner is grounded in a deep commitment to the people and neighborhoods that shaped her — because Medinah believes leadership begins with being rooted in the community you serve.

Medinah earned her Bachelor’s degree from Montclair State University before graduating Summa Cum Laude from Rutgers University–Newark with a Master’s degree in Political Science. Her academic journey reflected both her passion for public policy and her belief that government can be a powerful force for positive change when it works for everyday people.

She began her career in county government, gaining firsthand experience in how local policy decisions affect residents’ daily lives. At just 23 years old, Medinah was appointed Chief of Staff in the New Jersey Legislature, becoming the youngest person in the state to hold that position. In that role, she helped advance major legislative initiatives that improved the lives of New Jersey residents, including expanding access to driver’s licenses for undocumented residents, raising the minimum wage to $15, advancing cannabis decriminalization, and supporting policies that expanded maternal health protections for women across the state.

Medinah later served as a Senior Legislative Aide in the Legislative Affairs Department under former New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, where she worked closely with lawmakers, community leaders, and state agencies to move forward key priorities. Her work focused on criminal justice reform, expanding affordable housing opportunities, strengthening economic development initiatives, and supporting the work of the New Jersey Amistad Commission to ensure New Jersey students learn the full and accurate history of African Americans. During her tenure with Governor Murphy’s office, Medinah led the charge on the passage of a package of landmark gun safety bills that made New Jersey the strictest place to purchase a firearm, including background check requirements, user safety trainings, and more.  

Throughout her career, Medinah has remained deeply committed to connecting government to the communities it serves. In her current leadership roles in state government, she continues to focus on equity-driven policy development and meaningful community engagement — ensuring residents have a seat at the table in the decisions that shape their future.

Medinah has also served on the Essex County Redistricting Commission, a body tasked with supporting the creation of voting districts that eliminate gerrymandering in Essex County. She also briefly served as Treasurer of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee and currently as the Vice Chair of the Democratic State Committee’s Black Caucus. 

Medinah’s commitment to service extends beyond government. In May 2023, she was appointed to the East Orange Board of Education, where she serves as the youngest member of the Board and works to support strong schools, student achievement, and opportunities for families throughout the district. In 2024, she was unanimously elected Vice President of the Board, and in 2025 she was elected Vice President of the Essex County School Boards Association, reflecting the trust and confidence her colleagues have in her leadership throughout school districts in Essex County. 

Medinah’s leadership and policy work have been recognized statewide. She has been named a “Top Millennial” and “Top Policymaker” by InsiderNJ, and has been recognized for her leadership in various publications. 

Now, Medinah is running for Essex County Commissioner in District 3 to bring her experience, energy, and commitment to the next level of service. She believes Essex County’s future depends on leadership that understands the community, listens to residents, and works collaboratively to move the county forward.

Her campaign is built on a simple but powerful belief: when leadership is rooted in Essex, we can build stronger communities and create opportunities that allow all residents to thrive. And when we work together — across neighborhoods, generations, and backgrounds — we rise together.