Jersey City elected James Solomon, a two-term city councilman and a progressive outsider, as the city’s next mayor in its Tuesday runoff, rejecting former Gov. Jim McGreevey’s bid at a political comeback by a 2-1 margin.
Solomon will succeed three-term Mayor Steve Fulop, who did not seek re-election and instead sought the Democratic nomination for governor. He becomes Jersey City’s 50th mayor, a post once held by the legendary Frank Hague.
At 11:13 PM, and with 96% of the vote counted, Solomon leads McGreevey, 22,291 to 10,548, 68%-32%.
“Together, we’re going to build a more affordable Jersey City, where everyone has a chance to thrive and where the people are put first, not developers and special interests. My promise to Jersey City is simple: I will be a mayor for you,” Solomon said. “This victory is about more than policies and programs; it’s about people. It’s about ensuring that our city is a place where everyone can thrive, where every child has a chance to succeed, and where we all feel the sense of belonging that Jersey City is known for.”
In a six-way runoff for three at-large city council seats, Rolando Lavarro (19,578), Michael Griffin (18,944), and Mamta Singh (17,787) — all allied with Solomon — defeated incumbent Daniel Rivera (9,493) and two others, Meredith Burns (8.842) and Tina Nalls (6,712). Lavarro, a former council president, returns to office after a four-year absence.
Two labor organizers and self-proclaimed Democratic Socialists captured ward council seats: Joe Brooks defeated Efrain Orleans in Ward B, 2,933 to 1,589 (65%-35%); and in Ward D, Jake Ephros defeated Catherine Healy, the daughter of former Mayor Jeramiah Healy, 3,020 to 1,915, 61%-39%.
Incumbent Denise Ridley was re-elected, 2,924 to 2,418, a 55%-45% margin, in Ward A.
In Ward C, three-term incumbent Richard Boggiano lost badly to attorney Tom Zuppa. Zuppa won, 3,393 to 1,696 (67%-33%).
Two other seats were settled on November 4: Eleana Little won the Ward E seat and incumbent Frank “Educational” Gilmore was re-elected in Ward F.
Solomon (29%) also led McGreevey (25%) in the November 4 non-partisan municipal election, but a crowded field made the runoff inevitable.
The runoff, Jersey City’s first since 2001, has drawn statewide attention. Taking the lane of the progressive outsider, Solomon received endorsements from U.S. Senator Andy Kim and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. Hudson County Executive Craig Guy and outgoing Gov. Phil Murphy, meanwhile, endorsed McGreevey. Guy did not endorse anyone in the runoff.
The 68-year-old McGreevey had not sought public office since his departure as governor in 2004. He is a former mayor of Woodbridge and served in the State Senate and State Assembly.
In the nonpartisan general election, Solomon and McGreevey secured passage to the runoff, but Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea (21%), the third-place finisher, and former Jersey City Board of Education President Mussab Ali (18%), the fourth-place finisher, offered strong performances. O’Dea and Ali both endorsed Solomon.
The general election’s fifth-place finisher, Jersey City Council President Joyce Watterman (4%), endorsed McGreevey.
