DescriptionThis is the first research project in New Jersey to focus on West Indian elected officials. The primary goals were to gain an understanding of how they campaigned for office, whether and how they have maintained ties to their ethnic communities and how they self-identify. After exploring various facets of their lives including their immigration to the U.S., education, employment, desire to run for office and the political structure of New Jersey, I find that the typical West Indian elected official is a well-educated, oftentimes entrepreneurial, middle-aged community activist who shares strong ethnic ties in the States and back home. More often than not, they gain the confidence and support of key local political actors who help them to successfully secure office in both majority white and majority co-ethnic communities.