Small became emotional as the verdict was read, shouting, "Thank you Jesus, thank you jury," in the courtroom.
Moments later, he celebrated with supporters outside the Atlantic County courthouse, saying, "Can we say great day?" followed by, "Great day!"
Small walked out of the courthouse a free man after a 12-person jury acquitted him following more than a week of testimony, including from Small and his daughter.
Prosecutors alleged Small beat his 17-year-old daughter in 2024, knocking her unconscious, and later threatened her. The jury reached its verdict minutes after requesting to listen again to portions of Small's testimony.
"The entire Atlantic City was on trial, and this is a win for everyone," Small said.
Mayor Marty Small talks to reporters after being found not guilty
He denied the allegations throughout the trial and reiterated that stance after the verdict, saying, "Anybody in that jury box would see this for what it was. I'm not an abusive man, I never have and I never will."
Small, who was reelected in November, would have been required to step down as mayor if convicted of the more serious charges.
He said his family is now focused on moving forward.
"My daughter's lost right now, but like I said, when we win this case, we're gonna get things back on track as the man of the house. If I can be the man of the city, I can be the man of the house, and I'm gonna get my daughter back in check," he said.
Atlantic County Prosecutor William Reynolds said the verdict was disappointing but respected the judicial process.
"Today's verdict, while disappointing, is what America's all about. When someone is charged with a crime, they have the constitutional right to face their accusers and be judged by a jury of their peers and that happened today," Reynolds said. "We respectfully disagree with the verdict."
Reynolds said the case was brought forward to give the alleged victim a voice, adding, "We acted based upon the complaints of the victim, and the trial in this case was truly to give the victim a voice. This jury chose to not believe that voice."
He also urged compassion for the family, saying, "Everyone please pray for peace for that family, pray for peace for the daughter, I can't imagine what her life is going to be like now this is over."
Defense attorney Jordan Barbone said the case had enormous personal consequences for Small.
"A lot at stake. Changed this man's life. Could have ruined his life. And he stood through it all," Barbone said, his partner later calling the verdict "absolute proof that honest men like Marty Small are vindicated. It's just a glorious day."
Barbone added, "There's not a person in the world who deserves this more than Marty Small."
Small said he believes political motivations played a role in the case, stating, "There's a lot of political forces out here that are against the leadership of my wife and I. But guess what, the people of Atlantic City want us, the people of AC need us, and the people of AC deserve us."
He concluded, "Now we can put this chapter behind us in peace, we can move on as a family and as a community because make no mistake about it, the great city of AC had my back."
Small's wife, the superintendent of schools in Atlantic City, is facing separate charges for failing to report the alleged abuse.
Reynolds said prosecutors will discuss the matter internally and decide whether to move forward, adding that no decision has been made.