Alphonso Harrell

“Our families in the 2nd Legislative District deserve better representation at the State House. We must work harder to ensure Atlantic County receives our fair share. My top priorities will be working to increase education funding, access to affordable healthcare, mental health services, veterans’ services, economic growth, good-paying jobs, and safer communities.”

Alphonso Harrell is a U.S. Marine, disabled veteran, and beloved Kindergarten teacher at Pennsylvania Avenue School in Atlantic City.
Between fighting for his country, working in education, and mentoring our leaders of tomorrow, Harrell knows all roads to any career begin with educators.

During his 26-year career in public education, he worked as a student relations assistant, security director, preschool teacher, and third-grade teacher.

Harrell has dedicated his life to serving his community. He continues to be involved with local, civic, and community organizations in Atlantic County. He was a mentor for the Brother to Brother mentoring group and volunteered in the Project Safe Surrender program. He is an active Marine Corps League Cape-Atlantic Detachment #194 member in Galloway, NJ. He served as chairperson for the Juvenile Conference Committee for twenty years, appointed by the superior court at the municipal court building in Galloway, NJ.

During his time in the Marine Corps, Harrell traveled to numerous countries. While on embassy duty, he was assigned special security details for Secretary of State James Baker in Zagreb, Yugoslavia, and Vice-President Dan Quayle in the Philippines. He was also assigned as an Assistant Detachment Commander in Harare, Zimbabwe, and Istanbul, Turkey.

As a disabled veteran, Harrell brings a firsthand perspective on veterans’ affairs. He is committed to ensuring that New Jersey’s veterans receive the support they need and deserve.

Harrell has lived in Atlantic County for 31 years and in Egg Harbor Township for the last 23 years. He has a master’s degree from Grand Canyon University for Early Childhood Education and Cheney University for Educational Leadership and Supervision. He is active on the local, county, state, and national levels for the New Jersey Education Association.