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Jersey City Mayoral Runoff Pits City Councilman Against Former Governor Seeking Redemption
Voters in Jersey City head to the polls Tuesday for a decisive runoff election that will determine who leads New Jersey’s second-largest city. The race features an intriguing matchup between City Councilman James Solomon and former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey, who is attempting a remarkable political comeback nearly two decades after resigning from the state’s highest office amid scandal.
Neither candidate secured the majority needed to win outright in the November 4 general election, with Solomon capturing approximately 29% of the vote compared to McGreevey’s 25% in a crowded seven-candidate field. Both men are Democrats, though the mayoral position itself is officially nonpartisan.
The winner will succeed outgoing Mayor Steven Fulop, whose eight-year tenure as Jersey City’s leader will end after his unsuccessful bid for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination earlier this year.
Solomon, first elected to the city council in 2017, brings experience from working in the administrations of Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and then-Newark Mayor Cory Booker, now a U.S. Senator. A former adjunct professor in Jersey City, Solomon has shared his personal story of overcoming Hodgkin’s lymphoma following his 2015 diagnosis, reporting he is now “completely healthy.”
McGreevey represents one of the most unusual political resurrection attempts in recent New Jersey history. After serving in the state legislature, he was elected governor in 2001 but resigned in August 2004 when he publicly came out as gay while admitting to an extramarital affair with a male staffer whom he had appointed as a homeland security adviser. The aide denied the relationship and instead accused McGreevey of sexual harassment.
In the years since his dramatic fall from power, McGreevey has reinvented himself as the executive director of a nonprofit organization that assists formerly incarcerated individuals, those recovering from addiction, and veterans transitioning back to civilian life. His campaign has emphasized this work, positioning him as a “champion of second chances” – a narrative that resonates with his own political journey.
The race has attracted significant financial investment, with McGreevey outspending Solomon by nearly a two-to-one margin – approximately $2.5 million compared to $1.3 million. Both candidates have secured notable endorsements, with Solomon garnering support from Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea and former Jersey City Board of Education President Mussab Ali, who finished third and fourth respectively in the general election. McGreevey countered by winning the endorsement of Jersey City Council President Joyce Watterman.
Jersey City represents a solidly Democratic constituency, having supported Kamala Harris with 73% of the vote in the 2024 presidential election and giving Democratic Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill 82% support in the 2025 gubernatorial race.
McGreevey’s mayoral bid reflects an unusual but not unprecedented path for former governors. In recent months, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo unsuccessfully ran for New York City mayor, losing to Zohran Mamdani on November 4. Meanwhile, former Delaware Governor John Carney successfully transitioned to municipal leadership, winning election as Wilmington’s mayor in November 2024 after completing two terms as governor.
The Jersey City contest has particular significance in New Jersey’s political landscape as the city has grown increasingly important economically and demographically. With a population exceeding 283,000 according to recent estimates, Jersey City has experienced substantial development and gentrification in neighborhoods closest to Manhattan while still facing challenges related to affordable housing, infrastructure, and economic inequality.
Turnout will be crucial in determining the outcome. Approximately 38% of registered voters participated in the November general election, with about 39% of those votes cast early or by absentee ballot. For Tuesday’s runoff, mail-in ballot returns have been modest, with about 3,000 absentee ballots submitted by late November. Unlike the general election, this contest does not feature early in-person voting.
Polls will close at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, with initial results likely to be reported shortly thereafter. The winner will face immediate challenges in managing a diverse, growing city that serves as both a bedroom community for Manhattan workers and an emerging economic center in its own right.
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14 Comments
Interesting race in Jersey City. It’ll be worth watching how the two very different candidates – a young city councilman and a former scandal-plagued governor – appeal to voters in the runoff. The outcome could have implications for the city’s future direction.
I’m curious to see if McGreevey can pull off a political comeback after all these years. His experience could be an asset, but his past baggage may be harder to overcome.
Jersey City is an important urban center, so this runoff election is significant. It’ll be a test of whether voters prioritize fresh faces and new ideas, or are willing to give a second chance to a more seasoned politician with a controversial history.
The high-profile nature of this race means it could attract national attention. Whoever wins will take the reins of a major city, so the decision carries weight beyond just Jersey City.
This is a classic battle between the establishment and the insurgent. Solomon represents change, while McGreevey offers experience (for better or worse). It’ll be intriguing to see which vision resonates more with Jersey City voters.
The former governor’s attempt at a political comeback is certainly an intriguing storyline. Given the scandal that led to his resignation, I wonder how Jersey City voters will view his candidacy and whether they’ll be willing to give him another chance.
Interesting race in Jersey City. The matchup between a city councilman and a former governor seeking redemption adds an intriguing dynamic. Curious to see how the voters weigh their respective backgrounds and visions for the city.
As a nonpartisan race, this election is less about party affiliation and more about the candidates’ visions and qualifications. It will be interesting to see which attributes voters prioritize in choosing the city’s next mayor.
You make a good point. With no partisan labels, the candidates will need to effectively articulate their policy platforms and leadership abilities to sway undecided voters.
The outgoing mayor’s unsuccessful gubernatorial bid has set the stage for a new era in Jersey City politics. This runoff election could have significant implications for the city’s future direction.
The backgrounds of the two candidates – a city councilman with prior experience in other administrations versus a former governor seeking redemption – provide a stark contrast for voters to consider. I’m curious to see which attributes they value most.
Absolutely. The contrasting profiles of the candidates will force voters to weigh factors like political experience, scandal recovery, and vision for the city’s future. It should be a compelling race to follow.
Neither candidate secured a majority in the general election, so this runoff should be a close and hard-fought contest. I’ll be following the results closely to see how the voters ultimately decide between these two Democrats vying for the mayor’s office.
Yes, the lack of a clear winner in the initial vote sets the stage for an intense runoff campaign. It will be telling to see which candidate is able to mobilize more support in the second round.