Jersey City voters just made a big choice for the city’s future. Councilman James Solomon will be the next mayor after a landslide runoff win over former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey.
This election wasn’t just about personalities. It turned into a referendum on affordability, development, and the city’s direction as one of America’s fastest-changing urban centers.
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Solomon’s Landslide Victory Reshapes the Local Political Landscape
In the December runoff, Solomon grabbed a commanding 68% of the vote. McGreevey finished with 32%.
The result followed a crowded November 4 election with seven candidates. No one crossed the 50% mark then.
Solomon led that first round with 29%, while McGreevey had 25%. That set up a real runoff between a progressive insurgent and an establishment heavyweight.
From Seven-Way Race to Progressive Mandate
Even though the ballot showed no party affiliations, both finalists are Democrats. The race quickly came to symbolize the tension between Jersey City’s progressive base and the entrenched Democratic machine.
Solomon consolidated support after the first round. He won endorsements from three eliminated candidates and picked up high-profile backing from U.S. Senator Andy Kim and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka.
McGreevey entered with strong support from Hudson County power brokers. But that backing faded after the first vote.
What looked like a comeback for a former governor instead became a stage for a new generation of leadership.
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Affordability, Rent Control, and the Cost of Calling Jersey City Home
If you had to pick one word for this campaign, it’s affordability. Voters made it clear: rising rents, higher property taxes, and rapid development are now front and center in local politics.
Solomon’s Housing Agenda: Rent Control and Affordable Units
Solomon ran on a plan to change how Jersey City grows. His agenda includes:
Both Solomon and McGreevey talked about housing costs and taxes. They clashed over who caused the recent tax hikes and whether current policies favored developers over long-term residents.
Policing, Public Safety, and Oversight
Solomon’s platform focused on a more nuanced approach to public safety. He wants more officers on the street, but also more oversight and accountability.
More Officers, More Accountability
Solomon pledged to hire 100 new police officers. He argues that a growing city needs enough staff to keep neighborhoods safe.
At the same time, he supports a civilian complaint review board. This oversight group would give residents a way to address concerns about police conduct.
That balance—between safety and civil rights—will be one of the early tests of his administration. New development is bringing more people and more foot traffic into already dense neighborhoods.
From Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Survivor to City Hall
At 41, James Solomon represents a younger wave of leadership in New Jersey politics. His journey hasn’t been easy.
He holds a master’s degree from Harvard’s Kennedy School. He often talks about his battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma as a turning point.
Community Support as Political Motivation
Solomon has said the support he got during his illness from neighbors and local groups pushed him toward public service. First elected to the Jersey City Council in 2017, he built a reputation for reform, transparency, and neighborhood-level engagement.
He’s positioned himself as a counterweight to old-school machine politics. That grassroots, policy-focused, and personally grounded narrative really seemed to resonate with voters who feel squeezed by big economic forces but still deeply attached to their blocks and buildings.
The End of the Fulop Era and What Comes Next
Solomon will take office in January, succeeding three-term Mayor Steve Fulop. Fulop, who helped guide Jersey City through explosive growth and national attention, is stepping down after an unsuccessful run for governor and plans to lead a business advocacy group.
A New Chapter for a Changing City
Solomon steps into a city that’s shifting fast. Waterfront towers rise, inland neighborhoods buzz, and longtime locals hang on, determined not to get pushed out.
New policies are coming in, so anyone thinking about where to stay in Jersey City will find a place in flux. The city’s figuring out its identity—luxury hub, mixed-income patchwork, or maybe something that hasn’t quite been named yet.
If you’re traveling through, getting to Jersey City is still a breeze. PATH trains, ferries, light rail, and Newark Liberty Airport make arrival pretty painless.
Once you’re here, you’ve got choices. There are shiny waterfront Jersey City hotels with killer skyline views. Or maybe you’d rather crash at a smaller spot tucked into the Heights or Journal Square—those old neighborhoods still have plenty of character.
And it’s not just about politics. There’s a ton of things to do in Jersey City. Wander tree-lined streets, chill in neighborhood parks, or hunt down a meal in one of the city’s wildly diverse restaurants. The food scene alone is a reason to stick around.
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Here is the source article for this story: James Solomon Defeats Jim McGreevey in Jersey City Race
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