If you spent any time walking down Newark Avenue or hanging out near Journal Square last fall, you couldn't escape it. The flyers. The door knocking. The sheer noise. The Jersey City mayoral race wasn't just another local election; it was a full-blown identity crisis for the second-largest city in New Jersey. With Steven Fulop vacating the seat to chase the governor’s mansion, the throne was wide open. And honestly? It got messy.
By the time the dust settled in December 2025, James Solomon didn't just win. He dominated. But getting there was a wild ride that involved a former governor looking for redemption, a grassroots progressive surge, and a city grappling with the fact that it’s becoming too expensive for the people who actually live there.
The Shocking Runoff: How James Solomon Flipped the Script
Nobody actually expected a 36-point blowout. Well, maybe Solomon’s inner circle did, but the political establishment in Hudson County was definitely sweating.
In the first round on November 4, 2025, the field was crowded. Seven candidates. James Solomon pulled about 29.2% of the vote, while former Governor Jim McGreevey snagged 25.1%. Because nobody hit that magic 50% plus one, we headed to a runoff on December 2.
The runoff was a bloodbath. Solomon ended up with 24,675 votes (68.2%), while McGreevey trailed far behind with 11,525 votes (31.8%). You’ve gotta realize how big of a deal this is. McGreevey had the backing of the "old guard." He had endorsements from heavyweights like Governor Phil Murphy and Council President Joyce Watterman. Solomon? He leaned into a coalition of younger voters, progressives, and people basically fed up with the status quo.
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Why the McGreevey Comeback Failed
Jim McGreevey is a name people know. He was the governor who resigned in 2004 in a whirlwind of scandal. He spent the last two decades doing real work in prisoner reentry, which earned him a lot of respect. But in Jersey City, the "comeback kid" narrative didn't stick. Voters were more worried about their rent doubling than about political redemption arcs.
Solomon hammered him on real estate ties. He pointed out that McGreevey took nearly $1 million from developers. In a city where the median household income is around $76,444 but luxury high-rises are popping up like mushrooms, that’s a tough sell.
It Wasn't Just a Two-Man Show
We can't talk about the Jersey City mayoral race without mentioning the people who didn't make the cut but definitely moved the needle.
- Bill O’Dea: The Hudson County Commissioner brought in 21.5% in the first round. He’s been around forever. He knows every corner of the city. His endorsement of Solomon for the runoff was a massive turning point.
- Mussab Ali: The former Board of Education president was the "youth" candidate. He pulled 18.4% of the vote. He brought issues like school funding and social justice to the forefront, forcing the frontrunners to actually answer the hard questions.
- Joyce Watterman: The Council President only got about 3.9%. It was a surprise to some, considering her high-profile position, but it showed that name recognition in City Hall doesn't always translate to the ballot box.
The Issues That Actually Decided the Vote
Jersey City is diverse. Like, really diverse. We’re talking about a population that is roughly 23% Black, 26% Asian, and 27% Hispanic.
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Different neighborhoods had different vibes, but everyone was talking about the same three things.
Housing Affordability (The Big One)
Basically, the city is becoming a playground for New York City expats while long-time residents are getting pushed out. Solomon’s platform of capping rent increases and building "genuinely affordable" units (we’re talking $1,000/month or less) hit home. McGreevey tried to pivot to his experience, but Solomon stayed focused on the "sweetheart deals" developers were getting.
Public Safety and Policing
Both guys talked about "community policing." It’s a buzzword, sure. But Solomon’s plan to hire 100 new officers specifically to walk beats and build trust resonated in neighborhoods that feel overlooked. McGreevey’s grandfather was a cop, and he leaned on that "law and order" heritage, but voters seemed to prefer Solomon’s more reform-minded approach.
Schools and Infrastructure
Jersey City’s schools are... well, it’s complicated. Funding is a nightmare. The "Sustainable Jersey City" assessment showed that candidates were finally taking things like the tree canopy and flooding seriously. If you live in Ward A or Ward B, you know that a heavy rain means your street is a lake. Solomon’s promise of a Municipal Environmental Justice Ordinance actually meant something to people living in those flood-prone areas.
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What Happens Now?
So, James Solomon is the Mayor-elect. The Jersey City mayoral race is over, but the work is just starting. He’s taking over a city with a 15.7% poverty rate and some of the highest property tax increases in the state.
He won big, which gives him a mandate. But Hudson County politics is a contact sport. He’s going to have to deal with a City Council that isn't necessarily all on his team.
What you should do next:
- Watch the City Council meetings: Now that the election is over, the real policy shifts on rent control and developer subsidies will happen in those boring Tuesday night meetings.
- Check your tax assessment: If you're a homeowner, Solomon's plan to "stabilize property taxes" is something you need to hold him to.
- Engage with your Ward representative: The runoff showed that local organizing works. If your street still floods or your trash isn't being picked up, now is the time to be loud.
The 2025 election proved that Jersey City is changing. Whether that change is good for everyone—or just the people in the penthouses—is the next big story.