Jersey City Ward E Councilman James Solomon launched his mayoral bid in front of a huge crowd last night after signaling he would be doing so about two weeks ago after months of speculation.
By Daniel Ulloa and John Heinis/Hudson County View
“I want you to start asking yourself what I think are the crucial questions of this campaign. First and foremost: Who can you trust? Who can you trust to put you first and foremost? Who has kept that trust and never let you down?” Solomon said to a crowd of about 250 people at the Jersey City Theater Center.
“Who has ideas for 2040 and not 2004? And who is running to serve you, not running to use your future to rewrite their past? Because together, we can have a city where development serves us rather than developers, bringing affordable homes, public schools, and open space. Where, when you call a government office, the speed of response is not determined by who you know or what campaign you may have supported.”
Solomon, currently in his second term as the downtown councilman, emphasized unity, stating several times that Jersey City can rise to the needs of its people if they work together.
Activist Danielle Walker said she met Solomon while he was teaching at NJCU and said his passion for civic duty and policy was evident.
“James has always been there to advocate for our needs and make sure we are heard. He’s always been there to listen and fight for us. He approaches every challenge with the same passion I witnessed on that first day.”
“He listens, he acts, and he fights for what’s right—not just for some, but for all. That’s why I believe James is not only fit to be mayor but is the leader Jersey City needs.
Wendy Tom said she ran into Solomon a lot before he announced he’d be running for the Ward E council seat in 2017.
“Since that first election, he stayed committed to his core values. He helped solve the out-of-control Airbnb situation in my neighborhood,” she said to applause.
“Our quiet little nest had become a revolving door every weekend. No matter how many times the police came, there was nothing they could do. Together, we beat a massive corporation.”
Harsimus Cove Association President Tom Monahan praised Solomon for his work on the ongoing 6th Street Embankment project, as well as praising his advocacy for Liberty State Park against Liberty National Golf Course CEO Paul Fireman to applause.
“He is showing the way by passing one of the most comprehensive right-to-counsel laws in the country,” he also mentioned, noting his support of Portside Towers residents.
Housing advocate Katie Brennan, also a member of the Journal Square Community Association, admitted that she supported Rebecca Symes against Solomon in 2017, but now feels that he is clearly the best candidate for mayor.
She noted Solomon fought for the Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance (IZO) and praised Solomon for his work on affordable housing in Journal Square.
“11 years ago, we decided to make Jersey City our home. It was an easy decision to make,” Solomon’s wife, Gabby Ramos Solomon, said.
“An affordability crisis is forcing residents out … He’s a policy nerd. He really dives into the policy analysis. He builds coalitions,” she said, affectionately calling him “a ballsy nerd” who fights for safe street and responsible budgets before introducing her husband.
“I was recently at an event, and I was asked to introduce myself to the group with my name, where I lived, and my biggest professional accomplishment. I thought for a second and said: ‘well, I am a politician from New Jersey and I’ve never been indicted,'” the candidate said to applause and laughter.
“I appreciate the laughs, and…Jersey City, the bar is too low, But we are here to change it.”
Solomon also vowed to remain independent of the Hudson County Democratic Organization and took great delight in explaining his fight to protect Liberty State Park.
“I made another promise, too: To remain politically independent from the Hudson County machine. Running was not about becoming a well-connected insider; it was about delivering for you,” he exclaimed.
“There’s no greater illustration of that then one of my first moments in Jersey City politics was a long walk along the beach … at Caven Point … I was on that beach that day to protect it from being bulldozed into a golf course because a billionaire believed he could get his way by using good old-fashioned New Jersey corruption to his advantage.”
“Booo!” The crowd responded
“As we walked, one of the organizers noted to me that I was one of two elected officials there … to which I responded, ‘I guess I’ll piss off the billionaire and see where it gets me.’ He had a stunned look and said, ‘I’ve never really heard a New Jersey politician say something like that before.'”
Solomon also touted initiatives like “unrigging the primary ballot” in an effort spearheaded by U.S. Rep. Andy Kim (D-3), voting against tax abatements for big developers, and standing up for small businesses by ending corporate price gauging.
He also criticized rising property taxes and rising rents are forcing residents to make difficult choices, continuing issues with the 911 call center, and streets being dirty.
“We can deliver a city where developers pay their fair share, and residents can afford to stay,” Solomon said.
“We can deliver a city where developers pay what they owe and every resident can afford to stay, where the PATH does not stop in Hoboken on the weekends. Where you can love who you love and be who you are, out and proudly,” he explained.
“Together, we can build a Jersey City government as good as its people!” he concluded.
The crowd included the likes of Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla, who Solomon backed for Congress in the 8th District, Hoboken 5th Ward Councilman Phil Cohen, Jersey City Ward D Councilman Yousef Saleh, Ward D council candidate Patrick Ambrossi, political blogger Bruce Alston, and political operative Jason Solowski.
City and county workers stood with progressive activists including Mamta Singh and Eleana Little, who are potential running mates for Solomon, along with other former candidates like Kevin Bing and Adrian Ghainda joining him on stage.
Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea (D-2), former New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey, Council President Joyce Watterman, and former Board of Education President Mussab Ali are also declared mayoral candidates in the non-partisan November 4th, 2025 contest.
