Antwan McClellan

Biography

Antwan L. McClellan is a Republican member of the New Jersey General Assembly representing the 1st Legislative District, which encompasses Atlantic, Cumberland, and Cape May counties. He has served in the Assembly since 2019 and currently holds the position of Deputy Minority Leader, a role he assumed in January 2024.

McClellan is a lifelong resident of Ocean City and holds significant historical distinction as the first African-American ever to represent Cape May County in the state legislature and the highest-ranking Black Republican in New Jersey state politics. He is also the first African-American Republican elected to the General Assembly to represent the southernmost New Jersey counties since 2002.

Education

McClellan is a graduate of Ocean City High School. He pursued higher education at Virginia State University and Old Dominion University.

Political Experience

Before his election to the state Assembly, McClellan served his community through local government service. He served on the Ocean City Council from 2012 to 2019 and on the Ocean City Board of Education from 2010 to 2012.

Within the Assembly, McClellan has held increasing leadership responsibilities. He served as Republican Whip from 2022 to 2023 before being elevated to Deputy Minority Leader in January 2024. He is an appointed Assembly Republican member on the Amistad Commission and was the prime sponsor of the Heritage Trail Assembly Bill A2677 , which passed both houses unanimously.

Professionally, McClellan works as a public information officer and personnel director for the Cape May County Sheriff's Office.