The recent Jersey City mayoral race just changed the game. Councilman James Solomon beat former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey in a runoff that wasn’t even close.
Solomon’s campaign focused on affordability, development, and public safety. His win signals a real shift in the city’s priorities and hints at who Jersey City will be for as it grows in the next few years.
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James Solomon’s Path to City Hall
James Solomon, a progressive Democrat and longtime resident, won the mayor’s seat by almost a 2-to-1 margin over McGreevey. The runoff only happened because last month, neither candidate hit the 50% mark needed to win outright.
Solomon’s lived in Jersey City since 2013. He’s a married father of three daughters and built his campaign on the worries he hears from neighbors—rising rents, shiny new towers, and the fear that the people who made these neighborhoods what they are might get forced out.
A Political Comeback Stopped Short
McGreevey’s loss pretty much ends what some saw as a shot at a political comeback. Even with his name recognition and long New Jersey résumé, his old-school approach just didn’t connect the way Solomon’s urgency on affordability did.
Voters wanted someone looking forward, not back. It’s not every day you see that kind of message win out.
A Campaign Built on Affordability and Accountability
Solomon kept asking: Who is Jersey City for? As luxury high-rises pop up and more New Yorkers move in, folks have gotten louder about the cost of living and how their streets keep changing.
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He promised to put working families first, calling out leaders who seemed too close to developers. Solomon didn’t say he’d stop growth, but he made it clear he’d fight to protect renters, boost schools, and keep people safe—without pushing out the folks who’ve always been here.
Key Promises of the Solomon Administration
Here’s what Solomon says he’ll do:
The End of the Fulop Era
Solomon’s win closes the book on Mayor Steve Fulop’s time in office. Fulop didn’t run for a fourth term and instead tried, unsuccessfully, to become governor.
During Fulop’s years, Jersey City grew fast—more people, more buildings, a bigger national presence. Solomon isn’t against growth, but his win shows people want to rebalance things after a decade where some felt left out.
A Progressive Turn in City Politics
With Solomon’s win, voters backed a progressive Democrat who put affordability front and center. It’s safe to say debates over zoning, tax breaks, and city planning are about to get a lot more heated—and much more focused on what regular folks are dealing with.
What This Means for Jersey City’s Future
The Solomon administration will shape everything from housing policy to how Jersey City sells itself as a place to live, work, or visit. Shifts in development strategy could affect where new Jersey City hotels get built and which projects actually move forward.
Tourists and newcomers checking out where to stay in Jersey City will soon see a city whose leaders want growth that doesn’t erase its character. That matters for the waterfront—and even more for the neighborhoods deeper inland, where the push and pull between longtime residents and developers is strongest.
Connecting Politics, Neighborhoods, and Daily Life
If you’re mapping out things to do in Jersey City—festivals, new restaurants, maybe a neighborhood meeting—Solomon’s policies will shape how public spaces feel, how safe your block is, and which cultural spots get the city’s backing.
Visitors figuring out getting to Jersey City by PATH, ferry, or just braving the highways are stepping into a city that’s changing fast. The new mayor says he’ll push for more affordability and give the community a stronger voice—maybe that’ll actually happen, maybe not.
James Solomon gets sworn in next month. Jersey City’s at a crossroads, honestly.
Who gets to stay? Who really shapes what’s next? How do we handle all this growth?
These questions will steer the city’s next chapter—from shiny waterfront towers to the old row houses and walk-ups that have always been its heart.
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Here is the source article for this story: James Solomon wins Jersey City mayor’s race
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