2025 Jersey City mayoral election

2025 Jersey City mayoral election

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Party Nonpartisan Nonpartisan

Incumbent Mayor Steven Fulop Democratic

The 2025 Jersey City mayoral election will be held on November 4, 2025. Incumbent Democratic Mayor Steven Fulop was eligible to seek re-election to a fourth four-year term, but announced he would instead run for governor. ^[1]

Candidates

Declared

• Mussab Ali, former president of the Jersey City Board of Education ^[2]
• Christina Freeman, police officer ^[3]
• Kalki Jayne-Rose, musician ^[4]
• Jim McGreevey, former governor of New Jersey (2002–2004) ^[5]
• Bill O’Dea, Hudson County commissioner from the 2nd district (1997–present) ^[6]
• James Solomon, city councilor from ward E (2017–present) ^[7]
• Joyce Watterman, president of the Jersey City Council (2023–present) from the at-large district (2013–present) ^[8]

Declined

• Steven Fulop, incumbent mayor (2013–present) (ran for governor) ^[9]
• Jerry Walker, Hudson County commissioner from the 3rd district (2018–present), candidate for mayor in 2013, and candidate for New Jersey's 10th congressional district in 2024 ^[10] (running for State Assembly) ^[11]

Endorsements

Mussab Ali

U.S. representatives

• Ro Khanna, U.S. representative from California's 17th congressional district (2017–present) ^[12]
• Ilhan Omar, U.S. representative from Minnesota's 5th congressional district (2019–present) ^[13]

Statewide officials

• Keith Ellison, Minnesota attorney general (2019–present) ^[14]

Individuals

• Kal Penn, actor and former Associate Director in the White House Office of Public Engagement (2009–2010, 2010–2011) ^[15]

Organizations

• 314 Action ^[16]
• Emgage Action New Jersey ^[17]
• New American Leaders Action Fund ^[18]
• People for the American Way ^[19]
• Run for Something ^[20]

Jim McGreevey

U.S. representatives

• Bonnie Watson Coleman, NJ-12 (2015–present) ^[21]
• Albio Sires, NJ-8 (2006–2023) and mayor of West New York (1995–2006, 2023–present) ^[22]

Statewide officials

• Phil Murphy, governor of New Jersey (2018–present) ^[23]
• Ed Rendell, former governor of Pennsylvania (2003–2011) ^[24]

State legislators

• Raj Mukherji, state senator from the 32nd district (2024–present) ^[25]
• Nicholas Sacco, former state senator from the 32nd district (1994–2024) and mayor of North Bergen (1991–present) ^[26]
• Brian Stack, state senator from the 33rd district (2008–present) and mayor of Union City (2000–present) ^[27]
• Stephen Sweeney, former president of the New Jersey Senate (2010–2022) from the 3rd district (2002–2022) ^[28]

County officials

• Frank Sadeghi, at-large Ocean County Commissioner (2023–present) ^[29]

Local officials

• Rich Boggiano, Jersey City councilor from ward C (2013–present) ^[25]
• Jerramiah Healy, former mayor of Jersey City (2004–2013) ^[25]
• Gerald McCann, former mayor of Jersey City (1981–1985, 1989–1992) ^[28]
• Annise Parker, former mayor of Houston (2010–2016) ^[30]
• Andre Sayegh, mayor of Paterson (2018–present) ^[31]
• 6 other mayors ^{[22] [26]}

Party officials

• George Gilmore, Ocean County Republican Party Chair (1996–2019, 2022–present) ^[29]
• Craig Guy, Hudson County Democratic Party Chair (2024–present) and Hudson County Executive (2024–present) ^[32]

Individuals

• John Costa, international president of Amalgamated Transit Union (2019–present) ^[33]
• Harold Daggett, international president of International Longshoremen's Association (2011–present) ^[34]
• Christian Fuscarino, executive director of Garden State Equality (2016–present) ^[35]

Labor unions

• American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 246 ^[36]
• Amalgamated Transit Union - National and New Jersey State Council ^[33]
• Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters ^[37]
• International Longshoremen's Association - National ^[34] and New York-New Jersey District Council ^[38]
• International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825 ^[39]
• Jersey City Police Officers Benevolent Association ^[40]
• Jersey City Police Superior Officers Association ^[40]
• Laborers' International Union of North America ^[41]
• United Food and Commercial Workers Local 360 ^[36]

Organizations

• Garden State Equality Action Fund ^[35]
• LGBTQ+ Victory Fund ^[30]

Bill O’Dea

Labor unions

• American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees District 1199J ^[42]
• International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 59 ^[43]
• International Brotherhood of Teamsters Joint Council 73 and Local 560 ^[41]
• Hudson County Building Trades ^[44]
• Jersey City Education Association ^[45]
• SEIU 32BJ (co-endorsement with Solomon) ^[46]

James Solomon

Labor unions

• Committee of Interns and Residents ^[47]
• Health Professionals and Allied Employees ^[48]
• SEIU 32BJ (co-endorsement with O'Dea) ^[46]

Local officials

• Frank Gilmore, Jersey City councilor from ward F (2021–present) ^[49]

Individuals

• Katie Brennan, former chief of staff for the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency ^[50]

Joyce Watterman

Organizations

• The Collective PAC ^[51]

Declined to endorse

Local officials

• Ras Baraka, mayor of Newark (2014–present) ^[52]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [a]	Margin of error	Mussab Ali	Jim McGreevey	Bill O'Dea	James Solomon	Joyce Watterman	Other	Undecided
Garin-Hart-Yang Research Group (D) [53] [A]	August 6–9, 2025	401 (LV)	± 4.9%	3%	30%	18%	15%	7%	–	27%
Impact Research (D) [54] [B]	July 24–27, 2025	500 (LV)	± 4.4%	5%	27%	11%	26%	6%	3%	22%
Opiniones Latinas/ McLaughlin & Associates [55] [C]	June 18–24, 2025	600 (LV)	–	5%	38%	12%	18%	5%	–	23%
Impact Research (D) [54] [B]	August 16–20, 2024	400 (LV)	± 4.9%	6%	28%	8%	16%	4%	3%	36%

Fundraising

Campaign finance reports as of October 15, 2024
Candidate	Raised	Spent	Cash on hand
Mussab Ali (D)	$60,040.00	$57,419.38	$206,056.03
Jim McGreevey (D)	$100,186.64	$247,997.05	$1,151,661.51
Bill O’Dea (D)	$171,836.35	$9,919.91	$589,725.66
James Solomon (D)	$208,841.67	$18,583.30	$409,646.72
Joyce Watterman (D)	$16,100.00	$33,482.06	$84,607.37
Source: New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission

Results

2025 Jersey City mayoral election

Candidate		Votes	%
Mussab Ali
Christina Freeman
Kalki Jayne-Rose
Jim McGreevey
Bill O’Dea
James Solomon
Joyce Watterman
Write-in
Total votes			100.00

Notes

1. Key:
   A – all adults
   RV – registered voters
   LV – likely voters
   V – unclear

Partisan clients

1. This poll was sponsored by O'Dea's campaign
2. This poll was sponsored by Solomon's campaign
3. This poll was sponsored by McGreevey's campaign

References

1. Wildstein, David (January 3, 2023). "Telegraphing gubernatorial bid, Fulop won't seek re-election as Jersey City mayor in 2025". New Jersey Globe . Archived from the original on September 28, 2023. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
2. Wildstein, David (April 9, 2024). "Former Jersey City school board president jumps into mayor's race". New Jersey Globe . Archived from the original on February 12, 2025. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
3. "Jersey City Police Officer, Lifelong Resident Joins Race for Jersey City Mayor". TAPinto . June 5, 2025. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
4. Heinis, John (August 22, 2025). "7 candidates file for Jersey City mayor, 15 for council-at-large, & 30 for ward council". Hudson County View. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
5. Cole, Kirstin (November 9, 2023). "Former New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey enters Jersey City mayoral race". WPIX . Retrieved November 9, 2023.
6. Cruz, David (November 20, 2023). "Hudson County commissioner joins Jersey City mayoral race". NJ Spotlight News . Retrieved November 22, 2023.
7. Wildstein, David (September 19, 2024). "Solomon launches bid for Jersey City mayor". New Jersey Globe . Retrieved September 19, 2024.
8. Wildstein, David (June 20, 2024). "Watterman joins race for Jersey City mayor". New Jersey Globe . Retrieved June 20, 2024.
9. Wildstein, David (April 11, 2023). "Fulop announces bid for Governor in 2025". New Jersey Globe . Retrieved April 11, 2023.
10. Wildstein, David (May 9, 2024). "Jerry Walker Will Run In NJ-10 Special Election, Per Hudson County View". New Jersey Globe. [Walker] had been exploring another campaign for mayor in 2025, a campaign that might still go forward if his congressional bid isn't successful.
11. Wildstein, David (January 3, 2025). "Hudson County prepares for war in three Assembly districts, Sheriff's race". New Jersey Globe . Retrieved January 3, 2025.
12. Heinis, John (May 7, 2025). "U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna endorses former Jersey City BOE Pres. Mussab Ali for mayor". Hudson County View. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
13. Heinis, John (May 20, 2025). "Congresswoman Ilhan Omar supporting Mussab Ali for Jersey City mayor". Hudson County View. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
14. McDonell, Alexis (February 5, 2025). "Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison Endorses Mussab Ali for Jersey City Mayor". Jersey City Times. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
15. Ulloa, Daniel (January 7, 2025). "Actor Kal Penn delivers comedy set for Mussab Ali for Jersey City mayor fundraiser". Hudson County View. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
16. "State Legislative & Municipal". 314 Action. Retrieved March 22, 2025.
17. "See Our Endorsements: New Jersey". Emgage Action. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
18. Delos Reyes, Jessica (July 29, 2025). "NALAF Endorses 23 Candidates Across State And Local Races". New American Leaders Action Fund. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
19. "Elections & Endorsements". People for the American Way . Retrieved September 5, 2025.
20. Litman, Amanda (August 19, 2025). "Run For Something Endorses 54 Candidates, Building the Bench of Local Progressive Leaders". Run for Something . Retrieved September 5, 2025.
21. Wildstein, David (May 1, 2025). "Bonnie Watson Coleman endorses Jim McGreevey for Jersey City mayor". New Jersey Globe . Retrieved May 1, 2025.
22. Wildstein, David (September 12, 2023). "Three Hudson mayors tell McGreevey to run in Jersey City". New Jersey Globe . Retrieved September 13, 2023.
23. Wildstein, David (January 21, 2025). "Murphy will back McGreevey for Jersey City mayor". New Jersey Globe . Retrieved January 21, 2025.
24. Wildstein, David (June 12, 2025). "Former Pennsylvania governor, Philly mayor endorses McGreevey in Jersey City". New Jersey Globe . Retrieved June 12, 2025.
25. Heinis, John (March 23, 2024). "State Senator Mukherji endorses former Gov. McGreevey for Jersey City mayor". Hudson County View. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
26. Wildstein, David (September 19, 2023). "Five Hudson mayors urge McGreevey to run in Jersey City". New Jersey Globe . Retrieved September 19, 2023.
27. Wildstein, David (May 26, 2023). "Stack, others want McGreevey to run for Jersey City mayor". New Jersey Globe . Retrieved May 26, 2023.
28. Tagliaferro, Nick (November 16, 2023). "Primary School 11/16". Primary School (formerly Primaries for Progress). Retrieved November 16, 2023– via Substack.
29. Heinis, John (September 16, 2024). "Ocean County GOP's Gilmore to co-host McGreevey for Jersey City mayor event". Hudson County View. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
30. Wildstein, David (February 27, 2025). "National LGBTQ group supports McGreevey for mayor". New Jersey Globe . Retrieved February 28, 2025.
31. Dombrowski, Jim (November 13, 2023). "McGreevey For Mayor". The Post Eagle Newspaper. Retrieved September 5, 2025. Behind Jim & Candido is Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh who was on hand to endorse the former governor.
32. Wildstein, David (November 16, 2023). "Craig Guy endorses McGreevey for mayor". New Jersey Globe . Retrieved September 16, 2023.
33. Wildstein, David (January 9, 2024). "Transit union endorses McGreevey for Jersey City mayor". New Jersey Globe . Retrieved September 5, 2025.
34. Daggett, Harold J. (January 3, 2024). "ILA Endorses Jim McGreevey for Mayor of Jersey City 2025". International Longshoremen's Association . Retrieved September 5, 2025.
35. LaRue, Jeannine Frisby (June 30, 2025). "Garden State Equality Action Fund Endorses Jim McGreevey for Mayor of Jersey City". Garden State Equality . Retrieved September 5, 2025.
36. Blackburn, Zach (March 19, 2025). "UFCW local endorses McGreevey for Jersey City mayor". New Jersey Globe . Retrieved March 22, 2025.
37. Sullivan, Al (November 20, 2023). "McGreevey Nails Down Key Endorsement". TAPinto New Jersey. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
38. Knott, Stephen (February 21, 2024). "ILA Welcomes Back Former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey". International Longshoremen's Association . Retrieved September 5, 2025.
39. Wildstein, David (January 8, 2024). "Operating Engineers go with McGreevey for mayor". New Jersey Globe . Retrieved January 8, 2024.
40. "Jersey City POBA Backs McGreevey for Mayor". December 12, 2023. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
41. Wildstein, David (November 22, 2023). "Teamsters support O'Dea, Laborers go with McGreevey". New Jersey Globe . Retrieved November 22, 2023.
42. Blackburn, Zach (August 5, 2024). "1199J endorses O'Dea for Jersey City". New Jersey Globe . Retrieved September 5, 2025.
43. Heinis, John (August 21, 2025). "IATSE Local 59 backs Hudson County Commissioner O'Dea for Jersey City" . Retrieved August 21, 2025.
44. Morrill, Aaron (November 8, 2023). "To a Rapturous Crowd, O'Dea Announces His Candidacy For Mayor". Jersey City Times. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
45. Wildstein, David (January 18, 2024). "Jersey City teachers union endorses O'Dea for mayor". New Jersey Globe . Retrieved September 5, 2025.
46. Blackburn, Zach (April 3, 2025). "32BJ SEIU endorses two Jersey City mayoral candidates". New Jersey Globe . Retrieved April 3, 2025.
47. "Committee of Interns and Residents SEIU Endorses James Solomon for Jersey City Mayor". InsiderNJ. June 23, 2025. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
48. Heinis, John (August 21, 2025). "Health Professionals & Allied Employees support Solomon for Jersey City mayor". Hudson County View. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
49. Heinis, John (April 3, 2025). "Solomon and Gilmore trade endorsements in Jersey City municipal elections". Hudson County View. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
50. Wildstein, David (August 21, 2025). "Katie Brennan backs Solomon for Jersey City mayor". New Jersey Globe . Retrieved August 21, 2025.
51. Heinis, John (May 21, 2025). "Collective PAC endorses Jersey City Council President Joyce Watterman for mayor". Hudson County View. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
52. Wildstein, David (July 10, 2025). "Baraka will appear at Solomon event in Jersey City (Updated)". New Jersey Globe . Retrieved July 10, 2025.
53. "Recent Jersey City poll shows O'Dea coming second in a crowded field with a clear path to a runoff against McGreevey" (PDF). August 20, 2025. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
54. McCarthy, Craig; Oliveira, Alex (August 11, 2025). "Jersey City mayoral race now neck and neck between Solomon and ex-Gov. McGreevey: new poll". New York Post . Retrieved August 12, 2025.
55. Milone, Andy; Morrill, Aaron (August 13, 2025). "JA McGreevey Poll Gives Him a Commanding Lead: Opponents Don't Buy it". Jersey City Times . Retrieved August 14, 2025.

External links

• Mussab Ali for Mayor
• Christina Freeman for Mayor
• Jim McGreevey for Mayor
• Bill O'Dea for Mayor
• James Solomon for Mayor
• Joyce Watterman for Mayor