Dawn Giambalvo, a former Jersey City Office of Innovation director and community advocate, will seek the Ward C council seat on Ward E Councilman James Solomon’s mayoral slate.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Jersey City and Ward C need change and I am prepared to help bring that change to City Hall,” she said in a statement.
“I am honored to run for Jersey City Council alongside Councilman James Solomon, and I am committed to strengthening our neighborhoods through sustainable development and building the community’s wellbeing. Together, we can ensure that Jersey City continues to thrive as a vibrant and inclusive community.”
Giambalvo is the founder of the Canco Park Conservancy, where she led the efforts to revitalize and protect one of Ward C’s only public green spaces.
She is also an advisory board member of GreenerJC, one of the founding members of the Native Plant Society’s Hudson County Chapter, and a former board member of Jersey City Park’s Coalition.
Her work centers on green infrastructure, sustainability practices and building stronger community connections throughout Jersey City.
“Dawn Giambalvo’s dedication to her community and environmental advocacy is unparalleled. Her leadership and vision for a greener and stronger Jersey City make her an invaluable asset to our team and to the residents of Ward C,” Solomon added.
“This campaign is all about change. Dawn is the only candidate in Ward C who will bring about change from the political machine and development that works for developers, not the community. And together, we will bring much needed change to City Hall.”
The downtown councilman now has his full nine-person ticket: Councilwoman Denise Ridley in Ward A, Lorena Loayza in Ward B, Veronica Akaezuwa in Ward D, Eleana Little in Ward E, rounded out by Michael Griffin, Mamta Singh, and Rolando Lavarro at-large.
Additionally, he and Ward F Councilman Frank “Educational” Gilmore are trading endorsements.
Former Gov. Jim McGreevey revealed his full ticket last month, while Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea (D-2) just needs to announce a running mate in Ward E.
Council President Joyce Watterman has announced six council candidates, while former Board of Education Mussab Ali has four.
Finally, Police Officer Christina Freeman, who just jumped into the race at the beginning of the month, has not announced a team yet.
As far as Ward C is concerned, McGreevey is running Councilman Rich Boggiano, O’Dea is backing Tom Zuppa, and Ali is running with Shabad Khan.
The non-partisan Jersey City municipal elections are on November 4th.
