James Solomon Elected Mayor of Jersey City
In a surprising twist to the political landscape, James Solomon was elected mayor of Jersey City on Tuesday, outmaneuvering former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey’s attempt at a political comeback. Supporters gathered to celebrate the victory as Solomon took the stage, confidently declaring, “Now, the mission is clear. The work begins tonight. And the work that we have to do is make Jersey City affordable.”
The Runoff Results
Solomon, a City Council member since 2017, faced McGreevey in a runoff, a consequence of both candidates finishing in the top two during the general election on November 4, where a total of seven candidates were on the ballot. Neither managed to secure over 50% of the vote, prompting the need for a runoff.
McGreevey, addressing his own supporters just a short distance away, graciously conceded defeat, stating, “I want to say, from my heart, I congratulate Councilman — now Mayor-elect — James Solomon.”
Addressing Affordability Concerns
At 41, Solomon’s mission is clear: making Jersey City’s living costs manageable. He pointed out the national issue of rising costs, especially as new developments targeted affluent New York City commuters are driving prices sky-high. To complicate matters, the city is grappling with a budget shortfall that could result in property tax increases.
Solomon is committed to tackling developers and special interests, improving public safety, and collaborating with the independent board of education to enhance the city’s schools. He plans to build on legislation he previously passed as a council member, such as banning rent-hiking algorithms and advocating for tenants’ rights to legal counsel.
McGreevey’s Comeback Attempt
The Jersey City mayoral race attracted national media attention due to McGreevey’s candidacy. This marked his first venture back into public office since his resignation in 2004, a departure steeped in scandal — notably his announcement, “I am a gay American.”
McGreevey’s downfall stemmed from his decision to hire his lover, former Israeli naval officer Golan Cipel, as the state’s homeland security adviser despite Cipel’s questionable qualifications. Solomon, in a recent interview, expressed his views on McGreevey, claiming he epitomizes the “politics of the past,” emphasizing, “There were just scandal after scandal after scandal. That, to me, is disqualifying.”
The Profile of Jersey City
Jersey City, a bustling urban enclave with around 303,000 residents and a municipal budget of approximately $700 million, presents a unique blend of high-rises and diverse immigrant neighborhoods. Located directly across the Hudson River from Manhattan, it’s often referred to as the Sixth Borough.
In contrast, New York City’s newly elected mayor, democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, won last month advocating for affordability. The current mayor, Steven Fulop, chose not to seek a fourth term after an unsuccessful gubernatorial run.
Standing Up to Trump
Both Solomon and McGreevey voiced their intentions to confront President Donald Trump, whose administration is battling to dismantle Jersey City’s sanctuary city protections for immigrants. Solomon affirmed, “If Donald Trump chooses a fight, we’re not going to back down.”
Personal Journey of Solomon
Having grown up in nearby Millburn and possessing a master’s degree from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, Solomon has considerable credentials. He moved to Jersey City in 2013, is married, and has three daughters. In a twist of fate, a month after his wedding in 2015, he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Now fully in remission, he noted that this life-changing experience spurred his desire to serve, saying, “I had one of these life-is-short moments. I was like, ‘you know, I think I can do something… give back to Jersey City, because Jersey City really had my back during my toughest time.’”
Future Plans for Jersey City
Solomon has ambitious plans ahead, including hiring 100 new police officers and advocating for a civilian complaint review board, similar to New York City’s agency overseeing police conduct. Furthermore, he intends to appoint a deputy mayor for education to coordinate efforts between the city and the independent school district.
As the race narrowed to a runoff, Solomon garnered support from three other candidates, earning endorsements from U.S. Senator Andy Kim and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. Even McGreevey acknowledged his opponent’s potential, saying, “James Solomon is an incredibly likable young guy. And in four years, he’ll be a great mayor.”
On Tuesday, the voters signaled that Solomon’s time is now, and Jersey City is in for an exciting new chapter.
