James Solomon Wins Jersey City Mayoral Runoff, Defeats Jim McGreevey

James Solomon has won Jersey City’s mayoral runoff, defeating former governor Jim McGreevey in a race that reshaped the city’s expectations for the future. 

With 22,291 votes for Solomon to McGreevey’s 10,548 — with 97.79% of the ballots counted — the margin was decisive, reaffirming what had become clear throughout the night: voters overwhelmingly backed a reform-centered message over a return to establishment politics. 

Solomon’s victory marks a major shift in Jersey City’s political landscape. After years of mounting frustrations over development deals, an affordability iris, and questions about transparency, voters handed a clear mandate to a candidate who pledged to “rewrite the rules” of local government. 

Solomon becomes one of the few progressive candidates in Jersey City history to ascend to the mayor’s office, and the first to do so by degrading a statewide political heavyweight. 

Celebrating with supporters at Mana Contemporary, a local art gallery, Solomon framed the victory as a commitment to the residents who demanded a more accountable city government. “I see the people of Jersey City and I see how good the people of Jersey City are. We sent a message to the entire state of New Jersey that the people of Jersey City cannot be bought, and the mission is clear: the work begins tonight — and the work that we have to do is making Jersey City affordable.” — Mayor-elect James Solomon 

Several of Solomon’s allies on the council also secured runoff wins Tuesday night, signaling broad support for his policy agenda heading into January. 

State Senator Angela V. McKnight, who represents LD31, praised the moment and the community that made it possible, “Look at this energy in this room, at this diversity. I am blessed to be in this city. Looking forward to what’s to come.”