James Solomon, Food and Water Action-Backed Progressives Win Jersey City

Jersey City’s recent elections didn’t just shuffle names on the council roster. They redrew the city’s political map.

A slate of progressive candidates, led by James Solomon’s decisive mayoral victory over former Governor Jim McGreevey, signals a powerful shift. Grassroots organizing, climate leadership, and a renewed focus on affordability and public health are now front and center.

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A New Mayor and a New Mandate

In a runoff race that caught attention well beyond Hudson County, James Solomon emerged as Jersey City’s next mayor. He defeated one of New Jersey’s most recognizable political figures.

Solomon’s win wasn’t even close. Voters sent a clear message—they’re tired of old-guard politics and the big-money development interests that have shaped the city’s recent growth.

This election didn’t just boost one candidate. It delivered a governing coalition with a shared platform: climate action, transparency, and economic fairness.

Voters didn’t just pick a mayor. They endorsed a different vision for power in a city that’s changing fast.

Progressive City Council Gains

Alongside Solomon, several progressive council candidates backed by advocacy group Food & Water Action secured key ward victories. The winners include:

Denise Ridley in Ward A

Joel Brooks in Ward B

Jake Ephrose in Ward D

Mamta Singh (at-large)

Eleana Little in Ward E

Frank Gilmore in Ward F

These results show a citywide appetite for leaders who’ll challenge entrenched structures and put residents over donors. Climate and affordability are now at the center of policy debates.

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Grassroots Power: How the Campaign Was Won

The election’s turning point didn’t play out on television or social media. It happened on doorsteps.

Food & Water Action ran a classic ground game, scaling up old-school organizing in a city often assumed to be decided by party machines and developer money.

12,000 Doors, 1,100 Conversations

Organizers knocked on 12,000 doors and had over 1,100 direct conversations with voters. They identified more than 800 supporters likely to turn out.

In a municipal election—where margins are often razor-thin—hands-on engagement can make all the difference. The campaign skipped glossy mailers and vague slogans.

Instead, they leaned into specific issues: rising rents, industrial pollution, traffic, and the feeling that development was racing ahead while everyday residents got left behind. The message landed, especially in neighborhoods hit hardest by air quality problems and housing pressure.

Climate Leadership at City Hall

This new administration stands out not just for winning, but for how it plans to govern. Solomon’s already built a reputation as one of the state’s loudest opponents of the proposed $11 billion Turnpike expansion.

He argues that more highway capacity just means more traffic, more emissions, and more asthma for the communities living nearby. It’s hard to disagree if you’ve seen the smog firsthand.

From Highways to Healthy Neighborhoods

Solomon’s climate agenda zooms in on environmental justice and public health at the neighborhood level. Among the priorities he’s laid out:

Reducing air pollution from large buildings and outdated boilers

Investing in clean energy infrastructure across the city

Upgrading schools to be more energy efficient and healthier for students

Food & Water Action’s New Jersey State Director, Matt Smith, called the results a mandate for “bold, independent leadership” committed to clean energy, affordability, and healthier communities. Climate policy isn’t just a federal talking point anymore—it’s baked into local governing now.

What This Means for Residents and Visitors

For longtime residents, this political shift could change everyday life: cleaner air, safer streets, and a stronger push against unchecked luxury development. The city government now seems more skeptical of projects that bring congestion without clear benefits for existing neighborhoods.

For visitors, the same policies that reduce pollution and protect green spaces can make the city more attractive and livable. Whether you’re scanning Jersey City hotels for a weekend stay or just exploring the waterfront, the hope is the city starts to feel less like a construction zone and more like a community.

Jersey City’s Next Chapter

This election will shape how the city manages growth across its diverse city districts. From the West Side to Downtown and the Heights, every neighborhood feels the impact.

Investment keeps pouring in, so the question isn’t whether Jersey City will grow, but how it’ll grow—and honestly, who’s going to benefit?

If you’re a local planning your weekend, the idea of better air quality and greener infrastructure just adds to the list of things to do in Jersey City. There’s always something, from waterfront parks to neighborhood festivals.

Visitors looking up where to stay in Jersey City will notice the community cares more and more about livability, not just skyline views. That’s a big shift, and it feels pretty refreshing.

And whether you’re a commuter or a first-time tourist figuring out getting to Jersey City, the new leadership says they’ll put transportation, climate, and public health front and center.

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Here is the source article for this story: James Solomon, Progressive Council Candidates Backed by Food & Water Action Win Jersey City Elections