Overview

Marty Small Sr. is the 41st Mayor of Atlantic City, New Jersey, having served since October 2019. A lifelong resident of Atlantic City, Small became the fourth African American mayor in the city's history upon his appointment by the City Council in October 2019, following the resignation of Mayor Frank Gilliam. He subsequently won election to a partial term in November 2020 and his first full four-year term in November 2021. In November 2025, he was re-elected to a second full term, becoming the first Atlantic City mayor to secure consecutive full terms since Jim Whelan more than two decades prior.

Small's career has spanned public service, education, and athletics. Prior to his mayoral service, he served sixteen years on the Atlantic City City Council, including as Council President. He worked for the Atlantic City Board of Education as Coordinator of Elementary Extra-Curricular Activities for eleven years and has served as Director of Recreation for the City of Atlantic City since 1998. He previously played professional basketball for the Atlantic City Seagulls of the United States Basketball League, winning the 1998 USBL Championship. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in communications and educational leadership, respectively.

Political Career

Mayor, City of Atlantic City (2019–present)

Atlantic City City Council (2nd Ward) (2004–2019)

Atlantic City City Council President (2017–2019)

Key Policy Areas

Youth recreation and athletic programming

Urban education and school district coordination

Community safety and violence prevention

Economic development and casino industry relations

Tourism and special events management

Municipal governance reform

Notable Actions / Initiatives

Founded the Elwood Roberts Midnight Basketball League in 1998, providing structured recreational programming for at-risk adults during late-night hours; facilitated the league for eight years

Served as Coordinator of Elementary Extra-Curricular Activities for the Atlantic City Board of Education for eleven years prior to mayoral service

Inducted into the Stockton University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016 as an individual basketball player and again in 2018 as a member of the 1995–96 team that reached the NCAA Division III Elite Eight

Acquitted in December 2025 of all charges related to allegations of child endangerment; this marked his third judicial acquittal, following previous acquittals on election fraud charges in 2006 and 2011

Led Atlantic City through the COVID-19 pandemic recovery and the return of tourism and casino operations

Education

M.A., Educational Leadership, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania (2016)

B.A., Communications, Richard Stockton College of New Jersey (1998)

Diploma, Atlantic City High School (1993)

Personal

Birth date: March 25, 1974

Residence: Atlantic City, New Jersey