Former Hudson County Freeholder and Jersey City Board of Education President Joel Torres is supporting Ward E Councilman James Solomon for mayor.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“I’ve seen what true leadership looks like. James Solomon stood with me and Bill O’Dea when we challenged the establishment’s backing of ICE. He stood up when others stayed silent, and he’s continued to stand with our communities ever since. That’s the kind of leadership Jersey City deserves,” Torres said in a statement.
He also recalled “a defining moment” following a tragic shooting in the Greenville section of Jersey City, where he and Solomon were among the few elected officials who attended a small, unpublicized anti-violence meeting with local residents.
“There were no cameras or press releases in sight. There were just families in pain, looking for answers. James understood that leadership starts with listening, and that’s exactly what he did. That told me everything I needed to know about his character. He shows up when it’s hard, not when it’s convenient,” he added.
Solomon of course welcomed the endorsement, calling Torres “a principled public servant who always fought for Jersey City’s working families.”
“Joel led with principle and courage when it mattered most. He never bowed to the machine and always put people before politics. His leadership set a standard for what public service should be: honest, independent, and rooted in community. I’m grateful to have his support as we keep building a Jersey City that works for everyone,” he added.
Solomon has momentum heading into the December 2nd runoff to succeed Mayor Steven Fulop, who ran for governor instead of seeking a fourth term.
Since Saturday, he’s secured the endorsements of U.S. Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ), Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Hudson County Commissioners Bill O’Dea (D-2) and Yraida Aponte-Lipski (D-4), Mussab Ali, and Christina Freeman.
O’Dea, Ali, and Freeman all ran against the downtown councilman in last week’s mayoral race and have since backed him against McGreevey, who has the support of another recent mayoral candidate in Council President Joyce Watterman.
