A new poll, along with new alliances and a now neutral Hudson County Democratic Organization (HCDO) show Jersey City Ward E Councilman James Solomon leading the mayoral race against Jim McGreevey.
By John Heinis and Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
A poll commissioned by Solomon’s campaign that was conducted by Impact Research between November 6th through the 10th among 500 likely voters for the December 2nd runoff shows Solomon with a staggering 29-point lead, their polling memo shows.
“Solomon enjoys a wide and growing lead over Jim McGreevey. Solomon leads among likely runoff voters by nearly 30 points (58% to 29%, 13% undecided),” the memo says.
“This represents remarkable growth since July, when a previous poll found Solomon ahead of McGreevey by 8 points (46% to 38%, 16% undecided), underscoring how Solomon’s campaign has effectively built a broad coalition with wide appeal across the city.”
Impact Research further states that Solomon leads McGreevey by 38 points with white voters, 36 points with Latino voters, and 18 points with Black voters.
Furthermore, the downtown councilman leads McGreevey 71 to 14 among voters who voted for a mayoral candidate that did not make the runoff last Tuesday.
“Specifically, he leads by +55 points with Bill O’Dea’s voters, and +63 points with Mussab Ali’s voters,” according to Impact Research.
A poll at the end of October showed Solomon leading the race, as HCV first reported, which ended up being the case since he was the top vote getter on Election Day.
Today, Solomon held a press conference in front of City Hall that included O’Dea, Ali, Christina Freeman, Ward A Councilwoman Denise Ridley, Ward F Councilman Frank “Educational” Gilmore, and the council candidates he is supporting in the runoff.
“ … It’s time to turn the page on the failed politics of the past. It’s time to turn the page on leadership that put developers first, that put the well-connected first, that put the machine bosses first, and actually deliver a Jersey City that is affordable,” O’Dea said of McGreevey.
“We ran a campaign to save the city from Jim McGreevey. As soon as the campaign was over, we looked over at Team Solomon and said we gotta work together because the job is not finished,” Ali declared.
Yesterday, Solomon formally endorsed Joel Brooks in Ward B, Tom Zuppa in Ward C, and Jake Ephros in Ward D as they all face off against McGreevey-backed opposition next month, as HCV first reported.
They all joined him at 280 Grove St. to reiterate the unity against McGreevey message.
“We need to turn the page on the corrupt politics of the past in Jersey City,” noted Brooks.
“The old way of doing politics in Jersey City isn’t working for people in Journal Square and the heights. I look forward to bringing that change,” emphasized Zuppa.
In response, McGreevey took the gloves off and returned fire.
“Today’s press conference, filled with performance, name-calling, and political theatrics, was nothing more than an attempt to distract from the truth: What should have gone down, taxes and rents, went up,” he said in a statement.
“What should have gone up, affordable housing and tenant protections, never materialized. Jersey City is more than Downtown. Families in Greenville, Bergen-Lafayette, the Heights, and Journal Square are struggling with rising costs, displacement, and safety concerns. They deserve real solutions, not slogans.”
He continued that Jersey City had the highest tax increase, as well as rent increase, in the state during Solomon’s tenure on the city council, which also did not include the construction of a single affordable unit.
Another wrinkle in the race is the HCDO, who had backed McGreevey previously but is now opting not to endorse for mayor in the runoff, according to sources who spoke under the condition of anonymity since they were not authorized to speak on the matter.
They will still support most of McGreevey’s council candidates: Brandi Warren in Ward A, Ward C Councilman Rich Boggiano, Catherine Healey in Ward D, and Councilman-at-Large Daniel Rivera and running mate Meredith Burns.
Absent from the list is Efrain Orleans, who is running against Brooks.
Sources said they felt McGreevey was not running a tight ship and that they believe he squandered his $5 million war chest without ever articulating a clear message for his campaign.
That, combined with Solomon’s recent whirlwind of endorsements such as U.S. Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, all contributed to the HCDO’s decision to watch the mayoral race from the sidelines.
“I’m going to let the HCDO speak for itself,” Solomon said at today’s presser when asked about the situation by HCV.
“I respect the decision by the HCDO and County Executive Craig Guy to remain neutral in the runoff. My focus has always been on the working families of Jersey City and the issues that matter most: affordability, public safety, strong schools, and giving every neighborhood a voice,” McGreevey said.
Solo is just another sheepel waiting for his turn at the honey pot. Kim is a Jersey disater, what has he done for us lately.
“0”
Good Luck Jerkey City.
The original O.G.