Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, a Democratic candidate for governor, said he’s “trying to run a campaign that going to change New Jersey” at an event sponsored by the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce this morning.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
“I love New Jersey. New Jersey has some real challenges that have gone neglected for a long time,” Fulop told Hudson County Chamber of Commerce President Emory Edwards, who moderated the discussion at Hudson County Community College.
Fulop criticized those who would ideologically pigeonhole him or seek him to engage in “virtue signaling,” adding that his record as an executive for Jersey City shows he is ready to lead the state.
“We’ve been fiscally responsible. We’ve been pro-business. We’ve been a champion of workers. We’ve found a balance,” he asserted, further stating that Jersey City has done “a better job of capitalizing” on their assets than cities like Newark and Trenton.
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who spoke at a chamber event in the summer, is another Democratic candidate vying for the nomination in the June 3rd, 2025 primary.
“We are the only campaign talking about policy,” Fulop declared, throwing some criticism at the rest of the field: “it’s platitudes, not substance.”
Fulop took credit for the Corporate Business Tax (CBT) being used to fund NJ Transit, something he proposed in his statewide transportation plan that was unveiled in August, which some in attendance were very critical of.
“The business community will not survive here and prosper unless you’re investing in transportation. Nobody likes taxes. Tell me the proposal to fund NJ Transit otherwise. Tell me where to cut,” the mayor asserted.
Edwards said people are leaving New Jersey due to the taxes and high cost of living, asking Fulop if he had a solution.
“The population is increasing in New Jersey. Census data points otherwise,” Fulop replied, noting that the number of millionaires in the state has grown as well, also mentioning that many businesses have flourished post-COVID.
He also acknowledged New Jersey is an expensive place to live, however, he still believes families generally don’t move elsewhere for that reason.
“Normal people don’t do that. I live in Metuchen. I’d like to live in Summit,” he said is a more realistic comparison.
“You’re never going to beat Florida, nor should we want to beat Florida,” to which he said the Garden State has superior schools, infrastructure, culture, and arts.
Fulop continued that housing is the main reason for high costs in New Jersey, indicating that 100,000 more units need to be built to meet the demand.
“Tax structure is part of it. But it’s one part of the affordability conversation,” he said.
Edwards also touched on the warring factions of the Hudson County Democratic Organization, with County Executive Craig Guy and state Senator (D-33)/Union City Mayor Brian Stack backing U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-5) for governor despite not declaring yet.
“There seems to be some drama on your candidacy in Hudson County. Do you have any thoughts you’re willing to share in public?” Edwards asked.
“I’m trying to run a campaign that’s going to change New Jersey. I wanted to build a campaign focused on grassroots and outside the traditional structure. I had the public support of the Hudson County Democratic Organization and the chairman,” he said of prior HCDO Chair Anthony Vainieri supporting him back in June 2022.
“I was asked a question about the county line, about the county infrastructure, and how ballots are drawn, which is totally unfair. I said it’s wrong, and if I’m the governor, I’ll change it. A lot of the infrastructure didn’t like it. I had everything to lose by saying that. I got a lot of phone calls from people who were very upset with me over that.”
Fulop sounded undeterred, noting that people who rose up in political machines have a hard time understanding the grassroots effort he’s embarking on here.
He also indicated he was unconcerned about the campaigns his opponents, which also include former state Senate President Steve Sweeney and New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller, are running or will run.
“I think I have the best pathway to win, but it’s untested. It’s disruptive to the way they grew up. And a lot of people have monetized their position here. They have made a tremendous amount of money off being an elected official or their proximity to an elected official.”
“I talk about that openly. In some ways, there’s a corruption tax you and everyone pays for,” he declared, referring to his reform plan that openly took aim at Middlesex County Democratic Organization Chair Kevin McCabe and New Jersey State Democratic Committee Chair LeRey Jones.
Fulop add that has about 1,000 volunteers and support from about 50 mayors already.
During a question and answer session with the audience, HCCC President Dr. Christopher Reber said many students are from economically struggling families and need help.
“What would you do as governor with respect to community colleges?” he asked.
“Higher Education in this country is broken. There’s no question about that,” Fulop declared, noting that a supporter told him Rutgers University’s tuition has increased to about $40,000 a year.
Fulop noted he has called for capping colleague tution hikes at 2 percent, as well as a desire to increase state funding for county colleges.
He also said Tuition Assistance Grants (TAG), which helps lower-income families, created the incentive to increase tuition to get more grant money.
“That happens to be a problem nationally,” Fulop argued, adding that New Jersey City University (NJCU), like other smaller local colleges, are not sustainable on their own, which the governor must address through consolidation.
A Hudson County Complete Streets member, who did not give his name, noted the I-78 expansion going into the Holland Tunnel is still proceeding despite public opposition (which Fulop is also part of).
“As governor, would you cancel this multi-billion dollar highway expansion program?” he asked.
“Yes, we would reallocate dollars away from that. You could get the same union jobs… by building the Hudson Bergen light rail. I was early on this. Some of the other gubernatorial candidates have adopted this position,” he contended.
“New Jersey needs to make a plan to have PATH as part of NJ Transit. You lose money … on every train system in the world. They provide a utility.”
Fulop explained that New York and New Jersey Port Authority Commissioners argue every year over which state should pay for PATH maintenance, which is why there should be a gradual transition to full New Jersey control.
Edwards noted their discussion was part of a series of events with gubernatorial candidates, with Republican state Senator Jon Brammick (R-21) joining them at a date in October that will be announced soon.
This guy is as pro-business as the mob. Someone’s gotta pay the vig.
We’re a long way away from the days of Bret Schundler
If Fulop really believes that people aren’t leaving NJ because of high taxes he is completely out of touch with reality. I own a small business in NJ for decades. As soon as my staff could work, from home all but one fled the state! Fulop”s buddy, Hoboken Mayor Bhalla just allowed a 9% real estate tax increase to pass. That is on top of some already absurd real estate costs and awful city department service. There is no talk of cost containment – just increases! Fulop and Bhalla have concluded for their own benefit, ie the pot den that Fulop wants to open in a very quiet residential Hoboken neighborhood within blocks of 2 schools. That is how he is going treat all of NJ. As his own personal financial gain generation machine.
Mayor Fulop is really dreaming if he actually believes that he is going to be governor…
DON’T BELIEVE Fulop!!!
Fulop worked and still takes orders from Goldman Sachs.
All past NJ Gov’s took and take orders from Goldman Sachs.
Their all Devils stealing our dollars.