Jersey City voters to elect mayor in 2-person runoff after no candidates get majority

Brittany Kriegstein

Published Nov 5, 2025

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail

Never miss a story

Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

A poll site in Jersey City on Nov. 4, 2025

Verónica Del Valle / Gothamist

Brittany Kriegstein

Published Nov 5, 2025

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail

We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

While New York City voters get ready to move on from Election Day, across the Hudson in Jersey City, voters are just getting warmed up.

None of the candidates in the city’s mayoral election received more than 50% of the vote on election night, so top-performing contenders James Solomon and Jim McGreevey will face off on Dec. 2 in a two-person contest, according to results published by the Associated Press.

Solomon, a Jersey City councilmember, and McGreevey, a former governor, were part of a seven-person race that included Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea, former School Board President Mussab Ali, City Council President Joyce Watterman, police officer Christina Freeman and musician Kalki Jayne-Rose.

All of the candidates are Democrats and were vying for the mayoralty after incumbent Democratic Mayor Steve Fulop declined to seek a fourth term.

Solomon ran on affordability issues and bested McGreevey by about 4 points. In third place is O'Dea who may consolidate behind Solomon as the two are ideologically aligned. O'Dea didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Both Solomon and McGreevey argued they’re better equipped to address the city’s challenges related to housing and other living costs.

“Since Day 1, our election has zeroed in on the issues that matter and that’s why we are advancing to the run-off with an incredible amount of momentum,” Solomon said in a statement Tuesday night.

In his own statement, McGreevey said, “Jersey City needs proven leadership, not speeches.”

But McGreevey has no experience in Jersey City government and his biggest foray into "leadership" ended in disaster.

McGreevey resigned as governor in 2004 after coming out as gay and admitting to an extramarital affair with a man he tried to appoint as his homeland security director. But a swirl of other scandals threatened to detonate his political career if he didn’t step down, which opponents have highlighted as McGreevey points to his “proven leadership” credentials.

“The voters in Jersey City have sent an unambiguous message tonight,” Solomon said. “They want change, they want affordability and they want a clean, ethical government that they can be proud of.”

A slew of Jersey City Council races are also headed for a runoff in December.

David Giambusso contributed reporting.

Tagged

Politics

new jersey

Brittany Kriegstein

Twitter

Brittany Kriegstein covers all breaking news around New York City, with a focus on crime and gun violence. Got a tip? Email Brittany at [email protected].

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

MORE news