Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Sen. Andy Kim of NJ backs Solomon in Jersey City mayor's race
By
Ryan Kost
and
David Giambusso
Published Nov 8, 2025
Share
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 .
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images
By
Ryan Kost
and
David Giambusso
Published Nov 8, 2025
Share
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
U.S. Sen. Andy Kim of New Jersey endorsed James Solomon in the race for Jersey City mayor Saturday — a notable nod from a politician known for ending the reign of the state’s powerful political machines.
Kim said there’s a hunger for a “new generation of leadership” in a video he posted Saturday on the social media platform X.
New Jersey’s second largest city is headed for a December 2 runoff for mayor after no candidate in the crowded field came away with more than 50% of the vote after Election Day. Solomon led the field with more than 29% and former Gov. Jim McGreevey was the runner-up with 25%.
Between now and December, party forces in New Jersey are likely to weigh in on the race as the two Democratic candidates consolidate support.
“ I see in James Solomon, someone that I can work with, someone that I'm excited about, someone who embodies that sense of a new generation of leadership,” Kim said Saturday. “ It's very easy, especially in New Jersey, to feel like politics is just some exclusive club for the well-off and the well-connected. But it shouldn't be, and now is a moment where we can change that.”
Solomon didn’t waste time sharing the endorsement, adding “Senator Kim and I fought against the NJ machine together, and as mayor I will partner with Andy to ensure we have a government that’s ethical and will focus on making life affordable.”
Kim has a unique history in Hudson County politics. He's credited with dramatically curbing the power of county party organizations during his 2024 run to replace disgraced former Sen. Bob Menendez.
Kim's rival, First Lady Tammy Murphy, had locked down support from the state’s most powerful county organizations, granting her prime placement on the election ballot — in many cases without party delegates even being allowed to vote.
Kim then successfully sued in federal court to strip the counties of their power to make those ballot decisions, which studies have shown can provide a significant advantage. Without that advantage, Murphy's path to victory all but evaporated —despite her husband being governor — and she dropped out of the race.
The Hudson County Democratic Organization, which backed Murphy in that race, was among the most famous — and infamous — party machines in America at one point. The boss-based system was a modern-day outgrowth of institutions like Tammany Hall in New York and leaders like Frank Hague, the Jersey City mayor who controlled governors and sometimes presidents through his Hudson County apparatus.
In modern days, Menendez was one of Hudson’s most powerful bosses. With him behind bars and recent changes in county leadership, a power vacuum has emerged with leaders like Union City Mayor Brian Stack gaining in profile.
Stack personally recruited McGreevey to run for mayor in Jersey City. And while he's being credited for his role in Governor-elect Mikie Sherril’s lopsided victory this week, Stack's influence fell short in neighboring Jersey City.
McGreevey’s record of scandal has been a focus of relentless attacks during the mayoral race and Solomon was able to marshal strong turnout in the downtown ward he represents to come out on top.
Tagged
Politics
new jersey
Ryan Kost
Ryan Kost is a reporter on the day-of news desk, where he covers breaking news and writes enterprise stories about jails, courts, prosecutors and government accountability. His work focuses on the public institutions that shape life in New York. Before joining the newsroom, he lead a multi-part investigation with Columbia Journalism Investigations and New York Focus into how New York prosecutors handle wrongful conviction claims. He's also been a staff writer at The San Francisco Chronicle, The Associated Press and The Oregonian. Got a tip? Signal: ryankost.20
Read more
David Giambusso
David is the editor of the Day-of desk. Got a tip? Email [email protected].
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Dump truck driver hits and kills cyclist on 34th Street in Midtown, NYPD says
It's the latest in a string of hit-and-run deaths in the city in recent months.
By
Liam Quigley
Published Sep 28, 2026 at 4:15 p.m. ET
New ingredient mandated for Latin American kitchen, restaurant plates in NJ
The Garden State now requires that corn masa dough and flour made and sold in the state be fortified with folic acid.
By
Arya Sundaram
News
New ingredient mandated for Latin American kitchen, restaurant plates in NJ
The Garden State now requires that corn masa dough and flour made and sold in the state be fortified with folic acid.
By
Arya Sundaram
A Brooklyn jail cell filled with smoke. The emergency button failed, a lawyer said.
By
Samantha Max
Crews launch tunnel machines to dig first new Hudson River rail tunnels since 1910
By
Michael Sol Warren
NYC nor’easter dries up after weather service reports minor flooding
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .