Embattled NJ Mayor Wins Reelection Shortly Before Child Abuse Trial Begins

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ — Mayor Marty Small Sr. easily won reelection in Atlantic City Tuesday night, handily defeating his competitor, Republican Naeem Khan, in a 62 percent to 38 percent victory.

Next up for Small? A child abuse trial, with jury selection set to begin Dec. 1.

Small, who has maintained his innocence, told his supporters Tuesday night that no mayor has won under indictment in Atlantic City history. He said he was taking the victory to the courtroom.

Small's next mayoral term is set to start in January. If he is convicted before taking office, he would not be allowed to serve, as state law prohibits anyone convicted of a third-degree or higher crime from holding office. The Atlantic City Council would have to appoint an acting mayor and a special election would have to be held.

He and his wife, Atlantic City School Superintendent La'Quetta Small, were charged with child abuse in 2024. The couple is accused of physically and verbally abusing their teenage daughter; the mayor is also accused of witness tampering. Both have pleaded not guilty.

The mayor is accused of threatening to hurt his daughter by "earth slamming" her down the stairs, grabbing her head and throwing her to the ground, and smacking the weave out of her head, during an argument on Jan. 3, 2024. In another incident, he is accused of punching her repeatedly in her legs causing bruising.

His wife is accused of punching her daughter multiple times, leaving bruises on the girl's chest in one incident, and punching her in the mouth during an argument. La'Quetta Small also is accused of dragging her daughter by her hair then hitting her with a belt on her shoulders leaving marks.

Marty Small also faces witness tampering charges as he is accused of telling his daughter to "twist up" a story and say she tripped and fell in her room when her head was injured, officials said. This is in reference to a Jan. 13, 2024 incident, where it is alleged that Small hit his daughter in the head with a broom repeatedly, causing her to lose consciousness.

In addition, his campaign manager and principal of Atlantic City High School Constance Days-Chapman was previously indicted after the Smalls' daughter allegedly came to her about the abuse and failed to report it.

Previous Reporting:

• Drop Child Abuse Case Against Us, NJ Mayor & Wife Say: Reports
• Atlantic City Mayor, Superintendent Indicted In Abuse Of Daughter
• Atlantic City HS Principal Who Didn't Report Child Abuse Indicted
• Atlantic City Mayor, Superintendent Abused Teen Daughter: Prosecutor