Gov. Phil Murphy (D) has endorsed former Gov. Jim McGreevey for Jersey City mayor, both of whom will be part of a fellowship service at Monumental Baptist Church on Sunday at 11 a.m.

By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Personal experience, and a learned understanding of how government operates, is absolutely essential to ensuring our institutions better serve the needs of New Jersey’s working families. And I know that Jim McGreevey is committed to making municipal government work on behalf of the more than 290,000 people who call Jersey City home,” Murphy said in a statement.
“Jim’s experience as mayor of Woodbridge, State Senator, and Governor, as well as his service in the nonprofit sector as the Executive Director of the New Jersey Reentry Corporation based in Jersey City, has proven that he is both a powerful and effective advocate for those in need. I trust that he will help transform Jersey City for the better and build a city that welcomes and supports every one of its residents.”
McGreevey, who hasn’t sought office since he resigned as governor in 2004, is currently in a five-person field that also includes Ward E James Solomon, Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea (D-2), Council President Joyce Watterman, and former Board of Education President Mussab Ali.
He was of course happy to accept Murphy’s backing, complimenting his efforts in Trenton.
“For the past seven years, I’ve had the privilege of working daily with Governor Murphy’s Administration. The Governor has delivered practical support to court-involved and marginalized persons, both legislatively and administratively, including identification services, county, state, and federal benefits, presumptive Medicaid eligibility, voting rights, and increased opportunities for employment training,” he added.
“I am deeply grateful to Governor Murphy for his leadership and Administration’s support for Second Chances, particularly to those most marginalized in our community and state. On a personal level, I am personally and professionally honored by this endorsement.”
Others set to attend Sunday’s service include state Senators Raj Mukherji (D-32) and Brian Stack, who both endorsed McGreevey last year, LIUNA Vice President Michael Hellstrom, and Garden State Equality Executive Director Christian Fuscarino – among many others.
In a statement, Solomon campaign manager Stuart Thomas was expectedly unimpressed with Murphy’s endorsement.
“It is clear here that there is only one candidate for mayor who can change Jersey City for the better, and that’s James Solomon. The machine will always take care of the machine — even when they’ve resigned for corruption, raised taxes on New Jersey working families, and hired Donald Trump’s top strategists like Jim McGreevey,” he said.
“Jersey City residents aren’t tied to the old ways of doing things and are looking to the future, not the past. James Solomon is still not for sale and will be the voice of the future that Jersey City deserves.”
Editor’s note: This story was updated with a comment from James Solomon for Jersey City mayor campaign manager Stuart Thomas.