Challenger Has Mic Drop Moment Versus Atlantic City, NJ, Mayor

Atlantic City, New Jersey mayoral candidate Bob McDevitt is not one who brags about himself. He has spent his life letting his actions speak on his behalf.

I called McDevitt shortly following his mayoral candidate’s appearance with current Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small.

The event was presented by the Atlantic City, New Jersey Chapter of the NAACP.

The well attended event was held at the Asbury United Methodist Church on Thursday, April 17, 2025.

THE FORMAT & CANDIDATES BACKGROUND

Each candidate was initially given 5 minutes to speak.

The candidates spoke about their strengths. Both have led large organizations … McDevitt for more than 25 years served as President of UNITE HERE Local 54, South Jersey’s largest union.

McDevitt is undefeated in Local 54 Presidential elections, including ousting former President Gene Hudgins, which few thought was possible more than 30 years ago.

Small has been Mayor of Atlantic City for the past 6 years. Small was previously a Ward Councilman and before that a member of the Atlantic City Board of Education.

Small touted 6 straight years of property tax decreases for the taxpayers of Atlantic City.

McDevitt spoke about the lack of stable leadership and the need for clean and safe streets and vibrant communities in Atlantic City.

ROUND ONE

McDevitt versus Small … Round One did not deliver a decisive winner.

However, it was deemed that there was time at the end for each candidate to have a second bite at the apple.

McDevitt seized the moment.

Steve Young photo.

They flipped a coin to decide in which order the candidates would speak. McDevitt won the coin toss and elected to go last. This was a pivotal moment.

Small used his bonus 4 minutes to talk about his record and results as Mayor.

This was a home game for Small. But, he failed to deliver a knockout blow on McDevitt.

Now, it was McDevitt’s time to close the event. McDevitt was initially interrupted by Marty Small supporters while he was speaking.

To his credit, Kaleem Shabazz, President of the Atlantic City NAACP admonished those who were interrupting McDevitt and he gave McDevitt a fair chance to finish.

McDevitt went on the attack and asked the crowd, “Do you really want 4 more years of this?” It was a direct reference to Marty Small … the daily drama … the crime … The Small criminal indictments.

McDevitt said it all … without having to say it. Everyone knew what McDevitt had just said.

It was one of those rare mic drop moments. McDevitt made a decision at that split second to end his closing argument with half of his time still remaining. There’s nothing more left to be said. When you knockout your opponent, you stop punching, because the “fight” is over.

Marty Small knew that he had just lost the evening to McDevitt. Small strenuously asked to be given McDevitt’s unused time. Shabazz rejected the Small request and the moment ended with McDevitt winning the night.

To their credit, the Atlantic City NAACP was fair to both candidates, despite the fact that Shabazz is a supporter of Small.

Shabazz is also Vice President of the Atlantic City Council.

The Atlantic City Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, June 10, 2025.

ATLANTIC CITY NAACP PHILOSOPHY

The Atlantic City NAACP mission states:

The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.

The Atlantic City NAACP is committed to:

Civil rights and social justice for all. We are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in our community, and we believe that everyone has the power to make a difference. We invite you to join us in our efforts to create a more just and equitable society. Together, we can work towards a brighter future for all.