Will Jersey City's Mayoral Runoff Spark a $1 Million Crisis? Shocking Candidates Revealed!

Voters in Jersey City, New Jersey, will head to the polls on Tuesday for a highly anticipated mayoral runoff election. This election pits current council member James Solomon against former Governor Jim McGreevey, who is seeking a political comeback more than two decades after his resignation amid scandal. The stakes are high as both candidates continue to navigate a crowded political landscape.

In the general election held on November 4, Solomon and McGreevey were the top two vote-getters among seven candidates, with Solomon receiving approximately 29% of the vote and McGreevey around 25%. As neither secured a majority, the runoff was necessitated to determine the next mayor. Their Democratic affiliation is notable, especially considering the nonpartisan nature of the mayoral office. The winner will succeed outgoing Mayor Steven Fulop, who lost in the Democratic primary for governor this past June.

Solomon, who was first elected to the council in 2017, boasts a diverse professional background, including time spent as an adjunct professor and working in the offices of notable mayors like Thomas Menino of Boston and Cory Booker of Newark, now a U.S. senator. In 2015, he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma but has since declared himself "completely healthy."

On the other hand, McGreevey's past is complex. Elected governor in 2001, he resigned in 2004 after revealing he is gay and admitting to an extramarital affair with a male staffer, whom he appointed as a state homeland security adviser. This staffer denied the allegations, claiming instead that McGreevey had sexually harassed him. Since then, McGreevey has rebranded himself as a "champion of second chances," working as the executive director of a nonprofit that assists individuals transitioning from prison, addiction treatment, or military service.

Financially, McGreevey has heavily invested in his campaign, spending approximately $2.5 million compared to Solomon's $1.3 million. Endorsements play a pivotal role in this race, with Solomon receiving backing from fellow candidates Bill O’Dea, Mussab Ali, and Christina Freeman, while McGreevey has the support of Joyce Watterman, the Jersey City Council President.

Jersey City has historically leaned Democratic, evidenced by significant voter support for Democratic candidates in past elections. For instance, Kamal Harris, the Democratic then-Vice President, received about 73% of the votes in the 2024 presidential election, and Mikie Sherrill, a Democratic then-U.S. Representative, garnered around 82% in the 2025 gubernatorial election.

It is uncommon for a former governor to seek a mayoral position; however, McGreevey is not alone in this pursuit. He is at least the third ex-governor to chase local office within the past year, following former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who lost the New York City mayoral race, and John Carney, the former Governor of Delaware, who was elected as the mayor of Wilmington in November 2024.

As the runoff election approaches, Jersey City voters are reminded of the significance of their participation. Polls will close at 8 p.m. ET, and any registered voter in Jersey City can cast their ballot. In the recent general election, approximately 170,000 voters were registered, with around 38% turnout. Early voting was not an option for this election, but about 39% of the ballots were cast early or via absentee voting. By November 26, approximately 3,000 mail absentee ballots had been returned.

The voting process typically moves quickly; results from the November 4 election were first reported just three minutes after polls closed, with updates continuing into the night. The Associated Press will monitor this runoff closely, declaring a winner only when it is certain that no trailing candidate can close the gap.

As Jersey City prepares for this crucial runoff, the outcome could reshape the city's political landscape and set the stage for future governance. Both candidates bring distinct backgrounds and visions for the city, making this election one to watch closely.