Solomon vs. McGreevey: What to Know About Jersey City’s Mayoral Runoff

Jersey City voters return to the polls Tuesday for a mayoral runoff between Councilman James Solomon and former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey. Neither candidate won a majority in the Nov. 4 general election, leaving the two top finishers to compete for the seat being vacated by Mayor Steven Fulop.

Candidates and background

James Solomon, first elected to the City Council in 2017, has worked as an adjunct instructor in Jersey City and held staff roles in the offices of former Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and former Newark Mayor Cory Booker. He disclosed a 2015 diagnosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma and says he is now fully recovered.

Jim McGreevey served as New Jersey governor from 2002 until his resignation in 2004 amid a scandal involving a relationship with a male staffer; the staffer later accused McGreevey of sexual harassment. Since leaving office McGreevey has led a nonprofit focused on helping people reintegrate after incarceration, addiction treatment or military service and has framed his campaign around the theme of second chances.

How the Nov. 4 results set up the runoff

In the Nov. 4 general election Solomon led the field with roughly 29% of the vote; McGreevey received about 25%. Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea and former Jersey City Board of Education President Mussab Ali finished behind them with about 22% and 18%, respectively. Several of the trailing candidates — including O’Dea, Ali and Christina Freeman — have endorsed Solomon, while Council President Joyce Watterman has endorsed McGreevey.

Campaign spending

Campaign finance reports show McGreevey has spent approximately $2.5 million on the race, compared with roughly $1.3 million spent by Solomon.

Turnout and voting logistics

About 170,000 voters were registered in Jersey City for the Nov. 4 election, where turnout was near 38%. Approximately 39% of votes that day were cast early or by absentee ballot. For the runoff, as of Nov. 26 roughly 3,000 mail absentee ballots had been returned. There is no early in-person voting for this runoff; polls close at 8 p.m. ET on election day.

Counting, recounts and result declarations

Timing for final results will depend on how many ballots remain outstanding and on local reporting practices. New Jersey does not trigger automatic recounts; candidates or voters may request and fund a recount, with the cost refunded only if the outcome changes. News organizations typically wait to declare a winner until they are confident no plausible recount or legal challenge could alter the result.

Why this race matters

Both candidates are Democrats, though the mayoral contest is officially nonpartisan. The race has drawn attention because it pairs a rising local official against a former governor seeking a political comeback, and because it will determine leadership for New Jersey’s second-largest city at a moment when local priorities such as development, public safety and housing remain top issues for voters.

What to watch for Tuesday

• Polls close at 8 p.m. ET; results may be reported incrementally as precincts finish reporting.
• Watch early returns and any endorsements or campaign developments that could affect late-deciding voters.
• If the margin is narrow, a recount request or legal challenge could extend the time before a final, uncontested result is certified.