Jersey City mayoral candidates, former NJ Governor Jim McGreevey and Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea, cast their votes in the election and held press conferences after doing so.
By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View
McGreevey voted first at 10 a.m. at a firehouse in Ward C.
“We’ve engaged so many folks, so many people from the community, so that’s what I’m excited about,” he explained to assembled reporters about his chances in the election.
“ …. We’ve worked really hard for two years and hopefully our message resonates that Jersey City needs a change in direction and we need a government that’s going to be responsive to the needs of the community.”
McGreevey also cited education affordability and policing as significant issues, along with recreation.
“I’ll continue to work hard and speak to the issues of concern of Jersey City,” McGreevey said about his reputation as governor, working with re-entry program, and his association with Charles Kushner that has become a talking point for his opponents.
He argued that voters are more concerned about the issues affecting them: “It’s not about me or the other candidates,” citing pressing issues like the future of the Heights University Medical Center that could be on the brink of closure.
“So many of the concerns of Jersey City demand action and people want responsible individuals … People want to see healthy change,” McGreevey concluded, remaining steadfast that personalities and attack ads would not impact the race.
Less than an hour later, O’Dea voted at a firehouse in Ward B. He noted there were voting machine errors that were quickly addressed by a Hudson County Board of Elections official before speaking to the press.
“I feel very good. We’re getting great reactions every place I go. Even those with different shirts on wink and tell me they’re voting for me,” he declared.
The veteran county commissioner also didn’t want to guarantee that he would make the December 2nd runoff, but said he feels positive and felt his team ran the best campaign overall.
“I believe we ran the best campaign, not just running a poll and whatever the poll says we say. I think that literally separates us, no disrespect to another candidate,” O’Dea declared.
“We’ve got a track record that can really coincide with what we need to get done in Jersey City.”
A longtime representative of the city’s west side, both as councilman and freeholder/commissioner, he added that while he feels his best turnout will be in Ward A, B, and C, he feels confident in all six wards.
“We’re a lot stronger in the Heights than people think … We got a lot of following in Ward F. Anywhere we’re not strong, our message is our message … know what we’re doing, get things done, available access,” he stated.
“I think we have a really strong slate: Our team is second to none.”
He also said he feels he was a strong slate, mentioning his council candidates for Wards B, C, and D – Joel Brooks, Tom Zuppa, and Elvin Dominici Encarnación, respectively – as having great chances to win.since they have been very active in the community.
O’Dea also lamented the loss of the Miss America diner, a staple on the west side for decades where he hosted countless political meetings, usually over breakfast.
The polls are open until 8 p.m. and of course only one candidate can succeed Mayor Steven Fulop, who ran for governor instead of seeking a fourth term.
Ward E Councilman James Solomon is another leading contender to make the runoff, while former Board of Education President Mussab Ali starting making waves down the stretch.
The other mayoral contenders are Council President Joyce Watterman, Police Officer Christina Freeman, and Jayne Kalki-Rose.
