Ocean County GOP Chair George Gilmore, who received a pardon from then-President Donald Trump (R) for a $1 million tax evasion case, will co-host an event for former Gov. Jim McGreevey’s bid for Jersey City mayor later this month.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“I think it would be smart politics for McGreevey to be transparent about why they offered and he accepted their help,” Rebovich Institute for New Jersey Politics Director Micah Rasmussen said about the $1,000 a ticket event in Bayville on September 25th.
“Yes, it is a non-partisan race, but a lot of Jersey City voters are paying close attention to this race, and those who are Democrats may want to know more so they can decide for themselves how it factors into their decision-making. There’s often an impulse by candidates to share less, when often the exact opposite will best serve both themselves and voters.”
Rasmussen’s take is notable since he served as press secretary for McGreevey’s administration before he resigned in scandal in November 2004.
Speaking with HCV, McGreevey, who spoke on Gilmore’s behalf during his sentencing and also supported his pardon (as did three other former governors from both parties), did not shy away from teaming up with his old friend.
“I have known George for over 20 years and he wanted to be helpful,” he said, joking that he knows Gilmore never voted for him (McGreevey is also a former Woodbridge mayor, state assemblyman, and state senator).
“I’ve just found that my political philosophy and progressive values, in my political life and my work as a private citizen, welcomes the support of individuals throughout the political spectrum, while respecting and honoring those values which are central to my core.”
Ocean County Commissioner Frank Sadeghi is the other co-host for the event. The contact person for the event did not return an email seeking comment.
Seton Hall University political science professor Matthew Hale, also a Highland Park councilman, was far less kind than Rasmussen with his assessment of the situation.
“I am guessing the entry music to the event will be Bob Marley’s Redemption song. Gilmore and McGreevey share the experience of having incredible power, having that power taken away from them for doing stupid things and then fighting to get it back,” he said.
“Most people quit politics after doing the stupid stuff. They probably bonded over hopes for second chances. Gilmore and McGreevey are also part of an older generation of New Jersey politicians that can look past almost any transgression if the current transaction makes sense to both parties.”
He continued that he wasn’t sure what McGreevey gets out of this other than cash for his campaign coffers, which he believes is probably not worth the risk of being tied to any Republican in the current political climate as Trump battles Vice President Kamala Harris for the highest elected office in the country.
Furthermore, McGreevey has been all about second chances since exiting the political arena: He currently serves as the executive director for the New Jersey Reentry Corporation.
McGreevey is currently in a field of four in the non-partisan November 4th, 2025 mayoral race, which also includes Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea (D-2), Council President Joyce Watterman, and former Board of Education President Mussab Ali.
Additionally, Ward E Councilman James Solomon will be officially joining the field on Thursday after months of speculation.
As of the end of the second quarter, McGreevey has raised $1,792,582.92 to date and had $1,299,471.92 cash on hand as of June 30th, his July 16th report filed with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (NJ ELEC) shows, making him the top fundraiser to date.
Gilmore should be in jail and have no political rights