Jersey City Ward C Councilman Rich Boggiano says that depending on what’s next for the Steven Fulop administration, “I’d like to probably run for mayor” in 2017.
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By John Heinis and Katherine Guest/Hudson County View
Boggiano, a staunch Fulop critic who won his council seat running off the line in 2013, dropped the bombshell out of nowhere last night when speaking to Hudson County View’s Katherine Guest at his fundraiser for the Landmark Loew’s Jersey Theatre.
“First of all, this is [one of] the greatest places in Jersey City. It’s part of Jersey City, the history of Jersey City here at the Loew’s. Also, it’s a fundraiser for my future political adventures.”
When asked what those future political adventures are, Boggiano made it public that he’s eyeing the mayor’s seat in the next election cycle – when Fulop is widely believed to make a gubernatorial run.
“As of this point, depends what the current administration does, I’d probably like to run for mayor … I’m a people person and I want to see the people of Jersey City taken care of the proper way – the way I feel it should be done.”
Boggiano, also a retired police detective, said he would like to place more emphasis on safe and clean streets, more events for seniors and more affordable housing.
“I’ve been fighting for 40 years with The Hilltop [neighborhood], actually 38 years, and I have a record of being a fighter and I want to see things happen here,” he concluded.
Boggiano is known for being clearly expressing his opinion, regardless if it’s popular or not.
He was the only council member to vote no on merging the Jersey City Incinerator Authority with the city’s Department of Public Works at Wednesday night’s meeting.
Recently, Boggiano has also clashed with the city for putting a strong focus on new murals and bike paths, claiming that topics such as development and PATH improvements need more attention.
Should Fulop declare himself a Democratic candidate for governor in 2017, other Jersey City mayoral candidates include Assemblyman Raj Mukherji (D-33), Freeholder Bill O’Dea (D-2) and state Senator Sandra Cunningham (D-31 – though Cunningham said earlier in the week that she hasn’t thought ahead to 2017 yet.
Given Boggiano’s track record, it is quite possible he would prefer a head-to-head showdown with Fulop when it’s all said and done.
Jersey City spokesman Ryan Jacobs did not immediately return an email seeking comment in regards to Boggiano’s potential candidacy.
A cop should never be a politician. Especially one as cocky as he is.