James Solomon Wins Jersey City Mayor Race

City Councilman James Solomon, a progressive candidate, triumphed over former Governor Jim McGreevey in Tuesday’s runoff election to become the next mayor of Jersey City.

At 41, Solomon has served two terms on the City Council, focusing his campaign on “affordability and fighting corruption,” branding himself as an outsider looking to shake things up.

McGreevey, now 68, was New Jersey’s governor from 2001 until he resigned in 2004 after revealing he was gay and admitting to an affair with Goran Sipel, an Israeli former naval officer. His decision to appoint Sipel as a special advisor raised eyebrows, especially since Sipel later denied any romantic involvement and accused McGreevey of harassment.

This election in Jersey City resembled a recent runoff in New York City, where it seems that younger, more progressive candidates are taking the lead over politicians with controversial pasts.

“The mission is now clear. The work begins tonight, and we need to make Jersey City affordable,” Solomon stated to supporters after his victory. “Together, we will create a city where everyone has a chance to thrive and where the needs of people come before developers or special interests.”

In his campaign, Solomon promised to “fiercely defend” immigrants against what he described as President Trump’s tyrannical deportation efforts, asserting that Jersey City would not succumb to fear.

He also proposed measures to tackle homelessness, claiming that “housing affordability is the primary cause of insecurity.” To combat this issue, Solomon suggested enforcing rent control and heavily investing in a “housing first” strategy while also enhancing mental health services.

He urged residents of New York City to “unite” over the housing crisis, noting that demand for housing in Jersey City is growing as people seek more affordable options beyond the city limits.

“We’ve been building a ton of housing,” he remarked, “but we’re essentially drawing demand from New York City, which hasn’t met its needs.”