# Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop Sets Sights on Governor’s Office
Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop is making waves in New Jersey politics as he campaigns for governor after three successful terms leading the state’s second-largest city.
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His journey from Jersey City’s City Hall to potentially the governor’s mansion represents a significant political shift. Fulop positions himself as a progressive alternative to establishment candidates, and he often touts his executive experience and track record of implementing policies that have helped transform Jersey City into a thriving urban center.
From Wall Street to City Hall to Governor’s Race
Mayor Fulop’s path to politics is anything but conventional. Before he entered public service, he worked in finance and served in the Marine Corps.
This mix of experiences shapes his pragmatic yet progressive approach to governing Jersey City. He’s now wrapped up three consecutive terms at the helm.
Testing Ground for Progressive Policies
Under Fulop’s leadership, Jersey City has become a kind of testing ground for progressive policies that sometimes end up going statewide. His administration has pushed for:
These moves have improved life for a lot of Jersey City residents. The city now stands out as one of New Jersey’s more forward-thinking municipalities.
“We’ve shown that progressive policies can work at the local level,” Fulop often says at campaign stops.
Housing Expertise as a Key Differentiator
Fulop sees his hands-on work with both affordable and market-rate housing as something that sets him apart from other gubernatorial hopefuls. In a state where housing issues are tough, that kind of background might actually matter.
Statewide Housing Vision
The mayor wants to build more affordable housing all over New Jersey, drawing on lessons from Jersey City’s building boom. “Housing affordability isn’t just a city issue—it affects every corner of our state,” Fulop says in his campaign messaging.
His approach to housing has changed several city districts in Jersey City. He talks about balancing development pressures with what the community actually needs—experience he hopes to bring to the state level.
A New Approach to Regional Relationships
Fulop’s got a pretty distinctive take on New Jersey’s relationship with neighboring New York. Instead of sticking with what he calls an adversarial approach, he wants to try collaboration on shared problems.
Transit Cooperation Over Confrontation
Rather than fighting over congestion pricing in court, Fulop suggests revenue-sharing deals with New York. That perspective comes from his work improving transit for people getting to Jersey City from the surrounding areas.
He thinks this kind of collaboration could change how the two states deal with transportation infrastructure. If it works, commuters across the region could benefit.
Campaign Momentum and Electoral Outlook
Fulop became the first candidate to announce his run for governor in April 2023. He’s already built up a pretty large campaign operation.
Still, he’s facing stiff competition from frontrunner Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill in the June 10th primary. This race won’t be easy for anyone involved.
Appeal to Reform-Minded Voters
Fulop thinks younger voters who want real reform will shape the primary in a big way. He keeps pointing out that his time as mayor actually lines up with what a governor deals with—he’s not shy about making that connection.
If things don’t work out this time, Fulop says this could be his last campaign. He’s got three kids, and honestly, he might just head back to the private sector instead of sticking around in public life.
If you’re curious about the changes Fulop has brought to Jersey City, there’s a lot to check out. You can wander through neighborhoods that feel totally different now, or just grab a bite somewhere in the city’s buzzing restaurant scene.
Plenty of Jersey City hotels make it easy to stay overnight if you want to see all this for yourself. Whether you go for a waterfront spot with those wild Manhattan views or a quirky boutique hotel tucked into a historic block, you’ll get a sense of just how much the city’s shifted during Fulop’s time in charge.
Get a discount of 15% to 70% on accommodation in Jersey City! Look for deals here:
Jersey City Hotels, Apartments, B&Bs
Here is the source article for this story: NJ governor candidate Steven Fulop said experience as Jersey City mayor sets him up for success