Jersey City Ward F Councilman Frank “Educational” Gilmore endorsed Newark Mayor Ras Baraka for governor, in a race that also features Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, at his campaign fundraising kickoff at the Moore’s Lounge last night
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
“I am endorsing [Newark Mayor] Ras Baraka for governor, definitely. They have this really comprehensive approach to addressing violence. They have so many resource programs. They’re tuning Section 8 vouchers into homeowners vouchers. It’s just so much of a renaissance taking place in Newark,” Gilmore said.
His declaration came about half a day before Fulop, who has been running for governor for just over a year now, declared he would spend $10 million to help candidates running at the state, county, and local level.
The non-partisan Jersey City municipal elections for mayor and the nine city council seats are the same day as the general election for New Jersey governor, which is November 4th, 2025.
In 2021, when Fulop was elected to a third term as mayor, Gilmore ran as an independent, while then-Ward F Councilman Jermaine Robinson ran on Fulop’s ticket. Gilmore is the first elected official in Hudson County to endorse a gubernatorial candidate other than Fulop.
“By the grace of God, we will be back in that seat. If it’s not granted by the will of the people, it won’t get done. That’s the kind of leadership we have in him,” activist Michael Griffin, who served as the emcee, said.
“We’re a bunch of fighters. There’s always people depending on your leadership. They’re not doing it for themselves. That’s Frank’s hallmark,” Lincoln High School Principal and former Ward B Councilman Chris Gadsden added.
He also asserted their lawsuit about the ward maps adopted in 2022 and a separate filing to abolish the county ballot line will change Jersey City politics forever if successful.
“These voices are about to rise up like they’ve never done it before. There are people in the establishment who are shaking in their boots. The status quo cannot exist anymore. 2025 is going to be a beautiful thing to see. You’re going to see some of the most intelligent community-rooted individuals rise up to leadership,” Gadsden claimed.
Gadsden credited Gilmore with being instrumental in his special election to the council in November 2016.
“We’re starting from a slate where people who ran with a political machine will not run,” Griffin said about the 2025 elections.
“My honesty … rubs some people the wrong way. But that’s something they have to take up with their God. I’m starting to get comfortable with how politics and legislation truly works,” Gilmore exclaimed to applause.
“In ‘25, we’re going to witness something so historical. My heart is in Ward F. I care about the people that’s in Ward F. You’re going to see so much growth from me: You’ve never seen like anything like this before.”
He noted how many people thought it would be hard for him to run as a former felon, but indicated his record of community service spoke for itself.
“Whoever plans on running for Ward F, I just hope they have the fortitude, the stamina, the endurance, and the ability to not get fatigued. It’s going to be a task going up against Frank “Educational” Gilmore and the people of Ward F,” Gilmore stated to applause.
He vowed to register 2,500 new voters and get $25 donations from roughly 2,500, which would come out to $62,000.
Gilmore joked about having shoes ready to be worn out from campaigning before acknowledging the presence of Ward E Councilman James Solomon, who has not yet announced any plans for 2025.
“James has been very helpful with me in legislation,” Gilmore said.
In an interview, Gilmore spoke about issues he’s monitoring and what he thinks City Hall can do better.
“We have to do better making sure we have a comprehensive public safety plan. Individuals with mental health episodes, we want to make sure we get the RFP out to the appropriate people to address situations. Quality of life is a huge issue,” he told HCV.
“These increases in taxes, they’re trying to impose an increase on water next year. We want to make sure the increase is reasonable for Jersey City residents. We don’t want to continually watch long-term residents pushed out. We want to talk about comprehensive … community-oriented development.”
He added that he’s prided himself on being responsive and accessible to his constituents, including picking up his own office phone.
Gilmore also said the recent passage of ranked-choice voting trigger ordinance was a great accomplishment that will lessen the need for money and negativity in campaigns and open up the possibility of having more quality candidates run.
“The election is going to come through Ward F. Every candidate has reached out so far. I want to be fair and transparent with everyone. I don’t want to make a decision too early,” he said about his intentions for next year.
Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea (D-2) and former Board of Education President Mussab Ali, both declared mayoral candidates, were also in attendance.
I am so proud of Education and Gilmore without him. I would not be able to do what I’m doing for the Community as given back to the community for free this may help me out when he realize what I was doing for our community that’s the type of people we need we need leadership.
Ras Baraka is an extraordinarily decent and thoughtful man and has earned the right to be taken seriously as a gubernatorial candidate, especially among progressives.