The Hotel Trades Council is supporting Jersey City Ward E Councilman James Solomon for re-election after backing Mayor Steven Fulop and his team in February, prior to them announcing a Ward E candidate.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Councilman Solomon has stood with the Hotel Trades Council and our members in some of our toughest fights in Jersey City. He was a tireless advocate against AirBnb’s proliferation of illegal hotels throughout the city and stood with us when we pushed back against their multi-million-dollar ballot initiative to overturn the city’s ordinance,” HTC President Rich Maroko said in a statement.
“Over the last four years, he has stood up for hotel workers and for all working-class people in Downtown Jersey City. Based on that track record, we know that we can count on Councilman Solomon to advocate for our members and for working people throughout Jersey City.”
10 days after the HTC endorsed Fulop and his candidates at-large, along with those running in Wards A, B, C, D, and F, Chief Municipal Prosecutor Jake Hudnut declared he’d be challenging Solomon and be running on the mayor’s slate.
“HTC cares deeply about protecting workers and ensuring they are paid fairly and it is an honor to be endorsed by a union that cares so deeply about our community and their members,” explained Solomon.
“When Airbnb tried to impose their will on our community, I was proud to team up with HTC to tell them no. This campaign is about lifting up the working people of Jersey City and as Council Member they will always be my priority and I am honored to work alongside HTC to keep fighting for the middle class and working families.”
After full throttled effort by Fulop and the city council where over $5 million dollars total were spent on campaigning, one of the most expensive referendums in state history, Jersey City voters decisively passed an Airbnb referendum in November 2019.
The non-partisan Jersey City municipal elections are on November 2nd.
