Hudson County Commissioner Yraida Aponte-Lipski (D-4) is backing Ward E Councilman James Solomon for mayor along with his three city council-at-large running mates, also supporting Tom Zuppa in Ward C and Jake Ephros in Ward D.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“I am endorsing Councilman James Solomon for Mayor and his entire team for council. I did not get involved in the general election because I knew most of the candidates and wanted them to make the case to the voters,” she said in a statement.
“The voters have spoken, and Councilman Solomon decisively won the general election, which I will help to increase this margin of victory going into the run-off on December 2. Councilman Solomon and I have consistently worked together the past five years to address constituent concerns …”
She added that his teams commitment to constituent services would make them a great fit to be public servants, therefore she is backing former Council President Rolando Lavarro, Michael Griffin, and Mamta Singh for council-at-large.
Her support of Singh is notable because she ran with Solomon’s support against Aponte-Lipski, who had the backing of the Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO) in June 2023, with the incumbent winning by 146 votes.
Solomon’s at-large slate joined him as the top vote getters on Tuesday, where he looks to defeat former Gov. Jim McGreevey, who has been endorsed by the HCDO, Gov. Phil Murphy, and Council President Joyce Watterman – who finished in fifth place for mayor last week.
While Aponte-Lipski’s district primarily includes the Heights, she also represents portions of downtown and Journal Square, throwing her support behind Tom Zuppa – who ran with Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea (D-2) in Ward C and Ephros in Ward D.
Ephros ran independently and was the runner-up to Catherine Healey, the daughter of former Mayor Jerramiah Healy who was a part of McGreevey’s slate, while Zuppa finished right behind Councilman Rich Boggiano – another Team McGreevey candidate.
Solomon has also canvassed Wards C and D with Zuppa and Ephros since Tuesday’s results came in.
Since Saturday, the downtown councilman has received the backing of U.S. Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ), Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, and O’Dea for the non-partisan December 2nd runoff.