James Solomon Wins Jersey City Mayoral Election

James Solomon has been elected as the next mayor of Jersey City, marking a significant political shift. The progressive candidate and two-term city councilman won decisively in the runoff election held on Tuesday, rejecting former Governor Jim McGreevey’s comeback bid by a substantial 2-1 margin.

Election Results and Significance

With the election results reported at 11:13 PM, Solomon led with 22,291 votes (68%), compared to McGreevey’s 10,548 votes (32%), with 96% of the ballots counted. This election marks a pivotal moment for Jersey City, as Solomon becomes the 50th mayor, succeeding Steve Fulop, who chose not to run for re-election.

In his victory speech, Solomon emphasized his commitment to building a more affordable city, prioritizing the needs of residents over developers. “My promise to Jersey City is simple: I will be a mayor for you,” he stated. He believes that the success of this campaign reflects a desire for transformative policies centered around community well-being.

City Council Results

The runoff also included a competitive race for at-large city council seats. Solomon’s allies achieved substantial victories:

• Rolando Lavarro – 19,578 votes
• Michael Griffin – 18,944 votes
• Mamta Singh – 17,787 votes

These candidates successfully defeated incumbent Daniel Rivera (9,493 votes). In the ward council races, notable victories included:

• Joe Brooks defeating Efrain Orleans in Ward B (2,933 to 1,589)
• Jake Ephros defeating Catherine Healy in Ward D (3,020 to 1,915)
• Incumbent Denise Ridley re-elected in Ward A (2,924 to 2,418)
• Tom Zuppa defeating Richard Boggiano in Ward C (3,393 to 1,696)

Additionally, in Ward E, Eleana Little secured a seat, while incumbent Frank “Educational” Gilmore was re-elected in Ward F.

Background and Endorsements

This election drew attention across New Jersey, representing a departure from traditional political alignments. Solomon received endorsements from notable figures such as U.S. Senator Andy Kim and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, while Hudson County Executive Craig Guy endorsed McGreevey but refrained from supporting a candidate in the runoff.

Jim McGreevey, who hadn’t run for public office since 2004, had previously served as a mayor and state senator. In the nonpartisan general election, Solomon and McGreevey advanced to the runoff, with strong showings from other candidates, including Bill O’Dea and Mussab Ali, who endorsed Solomon after the general election.

Jersey City has not seen a runoff election since 2001, making this event historic. The outcomes signify a shift towards progressive governance, promising an exciting new chapter for the city’s leadership.