Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop has received the endorsement of five more mayors in his 2025 bid for governor, his counterparts in Morristown, South Orange, Summit, Chatham, and High Bridge.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“All five of these excellent mayors have proven themselves to be thoughtful, accessible public servants that their communities can count on, and I’m grateful for their support,” Fulop said in a statement.
“Other than the President, Mayors are the most well known elected officials in any municipality and they have the most credibility with the electorate because they are closest to the residents. I couldn’t be more grateful for the support of these established elected officials and I know they will be key parts of our campaign going forward.”
The latest group of mayors join Mayors Marty Small of Atlantic City, Shelley Brindle of Westfield, Dahlia Vertreese of Hillside, and Janice Kovach of Clinton in supporting the campaign.
The latest is significant given that Morristown, South Orange, and Chatham are part of U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill’s (D-11) district and it is looking increasingly likely that she will run in the Democratic primary for governor as well, as New Jersey Globe reported.
Dougherty is committed to taking on a significant organizing role in Morris County, working to bring more local elected officials and residents into the Fulop for Governor campaign.
“I’m endorsing Steve Fulop for Governor because he has a proven track record of delivering progress for the people of Jersey City, and I’m certain that he has the experience and vision to do the same for New Jersey,” Dougherty explained.
“Democrats have been making strides in Morris County for the last several political cycles and I believe that with his crossover appeal and ability to excite voters, Mayor Fulop is uniquely positioned to help us continue growing our party and standing up for our shared values.”
Dougherty was elected to a fourth term as Morristown mayor in 2021.
Meanwhile, Collum will join the campaign’s policy team with a focus on smart growth development and the sharing and consolidation of government services.
“New Jersey is in an affordability crisis and lacks the necessary coordination among towns and regions to do better together. Taxpayers cannot continue to subsidize this level of inefficiency at all levels of government, and there is no one better to address this than Steven Fulop,” Collum explained.
“Strong and equitable public policy that benefits all New Jerseyans is only as good as having a leader with the tenacity to implement them.”
Collum was the first woman elected to lead South Orange in 2015 and is the longest-serving female mayor in Essex County.
She is a strong proponent of shared services and successfully consolidated her fire department with a neighboring town to improve services and reduce costs to taxpayers.
Radest, Kobylarz, and Lee are also lending their support to Mayor Fulop’s campaign, and all three will work to organize in their own communities and nearby areas.
“Mayor Fulop has proven executive experience leading one of the State’s largest cities through both tremendous economic redevelopment and through the challenges of the COVID-19 crisis and more,” added Radest.
“I am proud to endorse him for Governor, his leadership will serve New Jerseyans well.”
For the moment, Fulop is the only declared candidate for governor on either side of the aisle.
Other possible Democratic contenders include Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-5), Montclair Mayor and New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller, former state Senate President Steve Sweeney, and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-19).
On the Republican side of the fray, Jack Ciattarelli, a former state assemblyman and the GOP nominee in 2021, and NJ 101.5 host Bill Spadea are all but certain to run.
The primary for New Jersey governor is set for June 3rd, 2025.
