In a pivotal race where Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop looks to take out one of his most definitive adversaries, Moriah Kinberg has been tapped to take out Ward D Councilman Michael Yun.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Mo has long served as an example of a positive force in the Heights community, and has proven to be someone who cares deeply about improving her neighborhood in a variety of ways,†Fulop said in a statement.
“As Mayor, and as a resident of the Heights, I am proud to support Mo for Council this November, knowing she will continue to be a strong advocate for the residents of the Heights.â€
Kinberg is a longstanding active member of the Jersey City Heights community and has spent her time working to tackle neighborhood issues.
In 2011, she began the Riverview Farmers Market, which has been an incubator for small businesses and nonprofit organizations as well as an outdoor community center and a venue for arts and music.
It has also provided affordable access to local NJ farm fresh foods for low-income families and seniors. Kinberg has continued to use her skills as an organizer to address neighborhood issues like trash and parking.
She has also organized civic engagement forums to connect community members with elected officials and city departments to get more people involved in the political process.
“I am very excited to join Mayor Fulop’s ticket for this November’s election. My community work has always been about advancing the Heights: from quality of life issues such as clean streets and parking, to encouraging civic engagement, housing affordability, and small business development,” Kinberg added.
“I am thrilled to continue to work with the Mayor as a candidate for council on these issues. As Jersey City grows, we have challenges and opportunities ahead of us, and I am looking forward to getting to work during the next few months.”
Yun was mulling a mayoral run and, more recently, was rumored to have considered running on Fulop’s ticket earlier this year. However, Yun, along with Ward C Councilman Rich Boggiano, said in April that they would be seeking re-election as independents.
Both were elected without Fulop’s support in 2013, with Yun defeating former Assemblyman Sean Connors.
This time around, Team Fulop hopes to capitalize on the shifting demographics that exist in the Heights – which is personified by Kinberg, sources said.
Another x factor to consider is Union City Mayor/state Senator Brian Stack (D-33), who endorsed Fulop in February and whose legislative district includes the Heights, potentially another hurdle Yun will have to overcome in his path to re-election.
Kinberg’s campaign is supported by network of energetic volunteers who have worked during the past few months to engage with the local community. Her campaign manager, Jake Ahearn, has a background in data and technology.
Ahearn has collaborated with Jersey City’s Office of Innovation to help analyze crime data to allow JCPD to better serve the community.
Additionally, local business owner Nick Caballero will serve as Chief Strategist, utilizing his strong ties within the Jersey City community to get residents engaged with Mo’s campaign.
Another longtime community leader in the Heights, Caballero was one of the founding trustees of the Washington Park Association, later serving the board of trustees as Secretary and, later, president.
Kinberg is the sixth council candidate to be added to the ‘Team Fulop’ slate, joining Council President Rolando Lavarro, Councilwoman-at-Large Joyce Watterman, Councilman-at-Large Daniel Rivera, Ward A council candidate Denise Ridley and Ward F Councilman Jermaine Robinson.
