Jim Keady

In November 2019, Keady announced a third run for Congress for the same seat.. On January 17, 2020, he sent an email to supporters announcing his withdrawal from the Primary after being asked to drop out by mutiple Democratic Party organizations and leaders.

In September 2018, Nike and Keady were in the news again over a controversial ad campaign with Colin Kaepernick, famed football player and social justice protester. Keady was asked to voice his views regarding Nike's stance on social justice in the United States while the company has a history of social justice controversies globally.

In 2017, after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, Keady made multiple humanitarian trips to provide aid to the people of the island.

In February 2017, Keady announced his run for Congress in his home New Jersey's 4th Congressional District. Keady received an endorsement from Progressive Democrats of America, Our Revolution New Jersey Volunteers and DHU: Demand Universal Healthcare, among others. He lost the primary to Joshua Welle, who lost the general election to Republican incumbent Chris Smith.

In 2016, the DCCC recruited Keady to run for the United States House of Representatives in New Jersey's 3rd Congressional district. He lost the Democratic primary to Frederick John Lavergne.

In 2015, Keady spent 10 days in Lesbos, Greece to help refugees from war-torn Middle Eastern countries find new lives in the west. Keady said he went to Greece when he saw rising anti-Muslim and anti-refugee sentiment in the aftermath of the Paris terror attacks. "It’s not just a political issue; these are people," said Keady. "These are people that just want a better life. They left areas that have been ravaged by war."

In 2015, Keady ran for state General Assembly in New Jersey's 30th Legislative District, citing the lack of leadership, accountability and transparency following Hurricane Sandy recovery as his motivation to run. Keady received endorsement of Rage Against the Machine guitarist and social activist Tom Morello.

In 2012, Keady volunteered to lead recovery efforts in his hometown of Belmar, NJ, after Hurricane Sandy. Two years later, Governor Chris Christie visited the town to publicize state recovery efforts. Keady interrupted the press conference to voice his complaints about the pace of recovery. Christie told him to “sit down and shut up.”

In 2005, Keady served on the Asbury Park City Council. He ran with two other city residents but he was the only one on his team to be elected. While on council, Keady served as co-chair of the council's subcommittee on affordable housing; the Asbury Works advisory board; the Springwood Avenue redevelopment advisory committee; the subcommittee on homelessness; and the parking commission. Keady resigned six months before his four-year term was up, due to family reasons.

In 1998, Keady was conducting research about Nike's business practices at St. John's University, the school signed a $3.5 million deal with Nike, forcing all athletes and coaches to endorse Nike. Keady publicly refused to support Nike and was forced to resign his position as soccer coach.

James W. Keady (born October 4, 1971) is an American activist, educator, and politician.