Hudson County politics is heating up as the Jersey City mayoral race gets fierce. Longtime public servant Bill O’Dea just dropped two new digital campaign ads that go right after rival Jim McGreevey.
The ads, called “Down Here” and “Helping People”, paint a pretty stark picture of the differences between the two. With Mayor Steven Fulop stepping aside to chase the governorship, November’s election looks like it’ll be one of the toughest Jersey City’s seen in a while.
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O’Dea’s First Salvo: The “Down Here” Ad
His first ad, “Down Here”, takes aim at McGreevey’s time as mayor of Woodbridge. O’Dea’s team says McGreevey didn’t do much for affordable housing and actually supported what they call the biggest tax hike in New Jersey history.
The ad even cites a 2004 Shelter Force report, claiming Woodbridge didn’t build any affordable housing units while McGreevey was in charge.
O’Dea, on the other hand, leans on his four decades in public service. He says he’s always pushed for affordable housing, kept an eye on the budget, and fought against heavy tax increases.
Setting Records Straight on Housing and Taxes
Affordable housing keeps coming up for Jersey City residents, especially as the city grows and neighborhoods change. O’Dea’s campaign is betting that voters care about past leadership decisions and how they might shape the city’s future.
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“Helping People” – A Personal Narrative
The second ad, “Helping People”, feels more personal. O’Dea talks about fighting for tenants’ rights, creating free programs for kids and seniors, and stepping up in tough times.
He’s really trying to show that he’s the kind of leader who gets involved and builds things that actually help people.
Campaign Strategy and Messaging
Phil Swibinski, O’Dea’s campaign strategist, says the ads are meant to put a spotlight on the differences between O’Dea and McGreevey, especially when it comes to housing and taxes. With seven people running, voters will probably focus on name recognition and clear policy differences as November 4th gets closer.
A High-Stakes Mayoral Contest
O’Dea and McGreevey aren’t the only ones in the mix. Councilman James Solomon, Council President Joyce Watterman, former Board of Education President Mussab Ali, Police Officer Christina Freeman, and Kalki Jayne-Rose are also running.
Whoever wins will have to steer a rapidly growing city full of debates over development, diversity, and affordability. The non-partisan format means there’s no primary—everyone jumps in at once, so candidates have to stand out early.
Reaching Voters in the Digital Age
O’Dea’s ads kick off what his team calls a six-figure digital campaign, showing up on YouTube, Connected TV, OTT services, and social media. In a city with all kinds of media habits, digital outreach might just tip the scales with some groups.
Why Jersey City Residents Should Pay Attention
For voters, this race goes way beyond personalities. Decisions about affordable housing, property taxes, public safety, and local services will affect every city district.
Whether you’ve lived here forever or just moved in, this election could shape Jersey City’s direction as it keeps changing fast. It might even impact investment, tourism, and how attractive those Jersey City hotels seem to visitors.
Connecting the Campaign to the City’s Day-to-Day Life
If you’re looking for things to do in Jersey City, maybe you’re out on the waterfront or catching a local event. Leadership choices around safety, transit, and affordability really do shape those daily experiences.
The next mayor will influence how newcomers find where to stay in Jersey City. They’ll also affect how simple it is for travelers getting to Jersey City for work or just for fun.
Ads keep popping up online, and residents will probably see even more candidate messaging and debates. There’s going to be plenty of talk about what really matters for Jersey City’s future.
Now through November, voters face the tough job of filtering out all the digital noise and figuring out which candidate actually has a plan worth trusting.
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Here is the source article for this story: Bill O’Dea Criticizes McGreevey on Housing in Mayoral Ad
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