Jersey City Ward C Councilman Rich Boggiano will vie for a fourth term next year on former Gov. Jim McGreevey’s ticket, making him the second incumbent to formally announce his plans.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“For the past 10 years, I have fought to preserve our quality of life, worked to ensure affordability, and strove to protect the safety of our homes and streets,” Boggiano began in a statement.
“I look forward to working with Mayor McGreevey as we improve city services, tackle property taxes and high rents, and do everything possible to keep our city safe.”
Boggiano ran as an independent in 2013 and 2017 before running on Mayor Steven Fulop’s ticket in 2021. In all three instances, the retired police detective prevailed in a December runoff.
The veteran councilman has been an early support of McGreevey’s mayoral campaign, noting that he had “unrivaled experience” at a press conference in March where state Senator Raj Mukherji (D-32) endorsed the 52nd governor of New Jersey for Jersey City mayor.
McGreevey’s 10-point plan for improving public safety in Jersey City includes overhauling the city’s 911 Center on Bishop Street, establishing a traffic bureau, reinstating the Jersey City Police Department’s Motorcycle Unit, implementing the “Arrive Together” program, and modernizing the Jersey City PD’s website to improve public access to crime statistics.
“Rich Boggiano has served his nation in the United States Marine Corps, served his city as a Jersey City police officer, and continues to serve the residents of Ward C in fighting everyday for common-sense results to improve our neighborhood. I am honored to run for elected office with a person of the character of Rich Boggiano.”
Boggiano is the third candidate to be announced for McGreevey’s ticket in the past week.
Brandi Warren, the director of the New Jersey City University (NJCU) Center for Teacher Preparation is running in Ward A, while Efrain Badilla Orleans Jr., the building manager and events coordinator of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish (Jersey City), is the Ward B candidate.
Another declared mayoral candidate, Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea (D-2), revealed Councilman-at-Large Daniel Rivera as his second running mate at the end of July.
The other seven council members have not announced their 2025 plans yet, though Council President Joyce Watterman is also running for mayor and Ward E Councilman James Solomon is widely expected to enter the fray next month.
Boggiano is likely to have a rematch of sorts in the non-partisan November 4th, 2025 race, with Journal Square Community Association President Tom Zuppa all but certain to run for the Ward C council seat again on O’Dea’s slate.
We need an active and younger voice in Jersey City.
Boggiano is a great council member. He is very responsive when you contact him.