Jersey City Mayoral Runoff: Solomon Faces McGreevey on December 2

The mayoral race in Jersey City is set to culminate in a runoff election on December 2, 2023. City councilmember James Solomon will compete against former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey to determine who will lead the city. This election follows a crowded primary in November, where voters faced seven candidates, resulting in a close race that necessitated this runoff.

In the general election held on November 4, Solomon emerged as the top vote-getter, securing just over 29% of the votes cast, while McGreevey trailed with approximately 25%. Former Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea also performed well, garnering 21.4% of the votes. The runoff is a standard procedure in New Jersey when no candidate achieves a majority.

Candidates’ Campaign Platforms

Jim McGreevey, a seasoned political figure, has extensive experience in New Jersey, having served as the mayor of Woodbridge Township and as a state senator. His campaign emphasizes affordability, aiming to construct 1,000 new affordable homes and 500 rental units for seniors. He also advocates for a budgeting approach that starts from zero each year, ensuring accountability in city spending.

In contrast, James Solomon has been a member of the Jersey City Council since 2017 and previously worked as an aide in Boston. His platform focuses on enhancing public schools, increasing affordable housing, and combating corruption. Solomon aims to create local journalism grants, expand the police force by 100 officers, and establish a mental health crisis response team.

Recent polling data indicates Solomon may hold a significant advantage going into the runoff. A poll conducted by Impact Research, commissioned by Solomon’s campaign on November 13, suggested he leads McGreevey by nearly 40 percentage points, with 58% of respondents favoring him compared to 29% for McGreevey. Furthermore, among voters who did not support either candidate in the general election, nearly three-quarters indicated they would vote for Solomon.

Voting Information for Residents

Voters in Jersey City are encouraged to participate in the runoff, which will not feature early voting. Instead, ballots can be mailed or dropped off at designated drop boxes. In-person polling stations will operate on December 2 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.. Residents can check their local polling locations on the Hudson County Board of Elections website.

Ballots submitted via mail must be postmarked by December 2 and received by the Hudson County Board of Elections within six days after the election. Voters who have not received their mail-in ballots are advised to contact the Hudson County Division of Elections at 201-369-3470 or via email at [email protected].

In addition to the mayoral race, the runoff election will also include several Jersey City Council seats. Residents are urged to review their sample ballots, available on the Hudson County Clerk’s webpage, to prepare for this important civic event.

As the countdown to the runoff continues, the outcome of this election will shape the future leadership of Jersey City, making it essential for residents to engage in the democratic process.