Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop said this morning that former Gov. Jim McGreevey is poised to be his successor, claiming other candidates currently lack the vision and courage to defeat him in the non-partisan November 4th race.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“This is smart. As things stand, McGreevey is on track to be the next mayor. Unless the other candidates show some vision or courage, which they haven’t, he’ll keep gaining ground,” Fulop wrote on X.
“The rest are stuck recycling tired lines: ‘developers bad,’ ‘everyone’s corrupt,’ ‘Jersey City is a mess.’ with no vision beyond those talking points. Their cautiousness on every issue including MLK/Bergen and Baldwin/Summit speaks volumes about how they would lead[.]”
His remarks came after a Jersey City resident posted a mailer from McGreevey calling to bring Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) to John F. Kennedy Boulevard.
Last year, Fulop had said on a few occasions that he did not think McGreevey could make a December 2025 runoff to become the next mayor, but evidently he is signing a different tune now.
Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea (D-2), an early supporter of both Fulop’s mayoral run in 2013 run and gubernatorial bid in June, pushed back on the notion that McGreevey runs away with the race.
“I’m glad Jim McGreevey supports the BRT, I’ve done so for at least a year, the biggest challenge is handling the route as it relates to the A. Harry Moore school on JFK,” he said over the phone.
“Prior to running for mayor, Jim McGreevey didn’t even know what Vision Zero was, unlike myself, who encouraged the county to apply for a Vision Zero grant from the federal government when they were hesitant. I would hope that Steve helps his friends the way his friends have helped him for many years.”
Ward E Councilman James Solomon, who has recently taken aim at the Fulop administration’s handling of the city’s finances, declined to stand and trade with the incumbent, instead highlighting his event tonight with another recent Democratic gubernatorial candidate.
“I invite everyone to attend Councilman Gilmore and my event tonight with special guest Mayor Ras Baraka at the Factory. Doors open at 6 p.m., event starts at 7 p.m. Should be a great time,” he stated.
Baraka was the runner-up in the June 10th gubernatorial Democratic primary, defeating Fulop, who finished in third place, by about four-and-a-half points.
Finally, former Board of Education President Mussab Ali said he likes how his campaign matches up against McGreevey’s.
“Our campaign has emerged as the boldest and most consistent voice for Jersey City’s future. We’re championing transformative ideas: a fast and free city-run bus system, an end to exclusionary zoning, and a firm pledge to reject money from pay-to-play contractors,” he asserted.
“While Jim McGreevey’s positions shift with the political winds, we’ve stayed true to our values, fighting every day for an affordable Jersey City that works for everyone.”
The two other declared mayoral candidates are Council President Joyce Watterman and Police Officer Christina Freeman.
I told mcgreevey at a dinner that jersey city is a mess he agreed with me after all he was raised here n so was i n I served here the next mayor MCGREEVEY
I hope McGreevey can do something about our horrendous property taxes.
I can’t believe Jersey City would elect a retread like McGreevey as mayor. He had his chance as governor and disgraced himself and the state. Yes, he’s put his life back together and good for him, but after violating the public trust, he does not deserve another chance. I haven’t seen anything in his campaign literature that cries out “vision” or “courage”, although it’s been awhile since I’ve gotten one of his parents’ ridiculous newsletters with tips on bowel health. I guess JC isn’t as progressive as we pretend to be.