2001 Jersey City mayoral election

Jersey City mayoral election, 2001

← 1997 May 8, 2001 and June 5, 2001 2004  →

Candidate Glenn Cunningham Thomas A. DeGise Party Democratic Democratic Popular vote 22,232 19,581 Percentage 53.17% 46.83%

Mayor before election Bret Schundler Republican Elected mayor Glenn Cunningham Democratic

The Jersey City mayoral election of 2001 was held on May 8, 2001. The mayor is popularly elected in a nonpartisan general election. The incumbent Mayor of Jersey City, Bret Schundler, did not run for re-election.

A runoff held on June 5, 2001. Glenn Cunningham was elected, becoming the first African-American mayor of Jersey City. ^[1] His opponent in the run-off was Thomas A. DeGise, ^[2] who later became Hudson County Executive. ^{[3] [4] [5]} It was one of the most expensive local races in New Jersey history. ^[6]

Cunningham died in office before completing his term. ^{[1] [7]}

Candidates

• Robert Cavanaugh
• Glenn Cunningham, United States Marshal for the District of New Jersey since 1996, candidate for mayor in 1989, and former Jersey City councilman (1982–90), council president (1986–90) and Hudson County freeholder (1976–79)
• Tom DeGise, president of the Jersey City Council since 1993
• Louis Manzo, former Hudson County freeholder (1990–93) and candidate for mayor in 1992 and 1993
• Kevin Sluka

Disqualified

• Gerald McCann, former mayor of Jersey City (1981–85, 1989–92) and convicted criminal

Results

Candidate [8]	Vote Count	Percent
Glenn Dale Cunningham	14,392	38.61%
Thomas A. DeGise	9,008	24.17%
Louis Manzo	7,618	20.44%
Kevin Sluka	3,439	9.23%
Robert Cavanaugh	2,817	7.56%

Gerald McCann, who had served two non-consecutive terms as Mayor of Jersey City before being convicted of fraud in a savings-and-loan scam, attempted to file a petition to run but was barred from doing so. ^[9]

Runoff ^[10]

Candidate	Vote Count	Percent
Glenn Dale Cunningham	22,232	53.17%
Thomas A. DeGise	19,581	46.83%

References

1. "Jersey City Mayor Glenn Cunningham: A life filled with firsts". NJ.com. April 24, 2017. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
2. Wakin, Daniel J. (May 9, 2001). "Close Election Forces Runoff For Mayor Of Jersey City". The New York Times. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
3. "Ten years ago, Glenn D. Cunningham became Jersey City's first black mayor". NJ.com. July 4, 2011. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
4. "In Jersey City, runoff elections rarely change initial outcome". NJ.com. November 6, 2015. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
5. "A little Jersey City election day history". May 12, 2009. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
6. "The Top 25 Most Expensive Local Races in New Jersey". January 22, 2015.
7. Smothers, Ronald (May 27, 2004). "Death of Jersey City Mayor Tips the Balance of Power". The New York Times. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
8. "Vote for Bernie Hartnett vs Tom DeGise for County Executive (Click Here) plus How do you rate our Jersey City Mayor Glenn Cunningham Jersey CityOnline May 8TH Mayor's Election Results". www.jerseycityonline.com. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
9. "GERALD McCANN v. CLERK CITY OF JERSEY CITY". Justia Law. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
10. "How do you rate our Jersey City Mayor Glenn Cunningham and Vote for Bernie Hartnett vs Tom DeGise for County Executive (Click Here) Plus Jersey City Election Results Glenn Cumminghan vs Tom Di Gise Jersey City Mayoral Election Results June 5, 2001". www.jerseycityonline.com. Retrieved February 18, 2019.