The race for Jersey City’s next mayor has come down to two familiar faces. Their first televised debate quickly revealed the different paths they’d take for the city’s future.
Former Governor Jim McGreevey and Councilman James Solomon squared off in a 28-minute debate. They dove into affordability, education, immigration, and traffic—topics that hit home for everyone, whether you’ve lived here for decades or just moved in along the waterfront.
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McGreevey vs. Solomon: Two Blueprints for Jersey City’s Future
The runoff on December 2 asks voters to pick between two candidates who share some broad goals but disagree on how to reach them. Dan Mannarino moderated the debate and kept the focus on a big question: how do you keep Jersey City livable and welcoming as costs and growth both rise?
Housing Affordability: Ambitious Promises and Hard Math
Rent costs are a sore spot for most Jersey City residents. Solomon came out swinging with a bold idea: create hundreds of rentals at $1,000 or less per month.
Developers would subsidize these apartments, using private money to boost affordability. McGreevey didn’t buy it, calling the plan unrealistic in such a high-demand city.
He wants a more gradual fix: work with faith-based groups and nonprofits, and breathe new life into distressed properties already scattered around town. He thinks using existing buildings and trusted partners is a more practical way to add affordable housing.
Property Taxes: Predictability vs. a Tax Freeze
Property taxes weigh heavy on homeowners and landlords. Solomon pitched tying future tax hikes to inflation—about 2–3%—to keep things predictable and avoid nasty surprises.
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McGreevey offered a more dramatic promise: no property tax increases in his first term. That’s a headline grabber, but it makes you wonder—how will the city pay for everything if costs keep going up and revenue stays flat?
Education and Immigration: Competing Priorities, Shared Values
The debate moved beyond pocketbook issues to big-picture questions: how do you support students and treat immigrants who call Jersey City home?
Classrooms, After-School Programs, and Early Literacy
Solomon sees education as a citywide effort that goes beyond the school day. He wants more after-school programs, more summer jobs for teens, and a deputy mayor for education to coordinate everything.
McGreevey zoomed in on early literacy. He’s all about phonics-based teaching and hiring literacy coaches so kids read confidently by third grade.
Sanctuary City Status and Federal Pressures
Both candidates promised to keep Jersey City a sanctuary city, protecting undocumented residents from federal crackdowns. Solomon said he’d stand firm, no matter what Washington does.
McGreevey agreed on maintaining sanctuary protections but said he’d take a more “nuanced” approach. He wants to respect federal law but still keep trust between residents, police, and city services.
Traffic, Tunnels, and the New York Factor
When traffic came up, both men found a common enemy: New York commuters cutting through local streets. They criticized out-of-towners who clog up key roads to avoid congestion and tolls, making life harder for everyone already stuck in traffic.
Fees, Permits, and Neighborhood Relief
To fix this, both floated versions of the same idea: make non-resident drivers pay up. Targeted fees or a permit system could discourage cut-through traffic and help locals get around without constant gridlock.
Of course, any fix here would need careful planning. Legal hurdles and the need to keep business moving make this a tricky balancing act, but neighborhoods swamped by cars need relief.
What This Runoff Means for Residents, Visitors, and the Region
The runoff comes after a general election where Solomon got 29% of the vote and McGreevey took 25%. Both still need to win over plenty of undecided and second-choice voters.
Whoever comes out on top will get sworn in January 15, alongside the new city council. That’s when the next four years of city government really begin.
For locals, the stakes feel pretty obvious. The next mayor’s decisions will shape development, schools, tax bills, and even the daily grind of traffic in all the different city districts.
But honestly, the impact spills far beyond city limits. Jersey City keeps drawing in visitors and new neighbors, so debates around housing affordability and transportation touch everything—from how we plan new parks and bike lanes to how we sell Jersey City hotels and highlight cultural spots.
If you’re a traveler picking where to stay in Jersey City, or a newcomer searching for things to do in Jersey City, these policies will shape neighborhood vibes, transit ease, and the city’s whole personality. Even the basics, like getting to Jersey City—by PATH, ferry, bus, or just driving—depend on how the next mayor tackles congestion and works with the region.
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Here is the source article for this story: McGreevey, Solomon hold debate a week before Jersey City voters pick a mayor
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