Could Mussab Ali Be Jersey City’s Mamdani?

Zohran Mamdani’s surprise upset victory in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary has turned the spotlight toward Jersey City, where voters are preparing for a pivotal mayoral election with strikingly similar parallels. Both elections feature a former governor who left office before completing a term and a young progressive challenger with an immigrant background.

Mamdani, 33, unseated former Governor Andrew Cuomo in a result that surprised many political observers. Born to Ugandan-Indian immigrant parents, his grassroots campaign demonstrated a growing shift toward new leadership and youth voter engagement.

In his closing appeal to voters, Mamdani said, “If you’re under 30, you weren’t even alive the last time Andrew Cuomo lived in New York City. So if he thinks he’s qualified to be your mayor, you’re more than qualified to vote for him.” He added that his platform, including a rent freeze, universal child care, and free public transit, could be “the difference between you having to move to Jersey City and getting to stay in the five boroughs.”

In Jersey City, Mayor Steven Fulop is stepping down after an unsuccessful run for New Jersey governor. The candidate field includes former Governor Jim McGreevey, who resigned in 2004 and is seeking a return to public office; Mussab Ali, 27, a Muslim immigrant and former school board member; and Ward E Councilman James Solomon.

According to sources, Mamdani and Ali’s teams are in communication, though there is no confirmation of an endorsement.

“There’s a lot of overlap in his national supporters and ours,” Ali said to HudPost.

Solomon, considered the leading progressive among the mayoral hopefuls, recently criticized McGreevey for his donation to Cuomo’s campaign and remarked that “voters are rejecting scandal ridden elected officials that resigned in disgrace and are attempting vanity comebacks.”

While the Hudson County Democratic Organization remains politically influential, a federal court order barred the use of “the line” in Democratic primaries, removing their ballot advantage. Recent wins by Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla and Assembly candidate Katie Brennan in parts of Jersey City show a growing appetite for progressive candidates.

With no incumbent and a competitive field, Jersey City voters will soon choose between a former governor and a new generation of leadership.