The Triumph of Progressive Platforms: Analyzing How James Solomon’s Focus on Affordability Overcame Jim McGreevey’s Political Experience
James Solomon, the progressive City Councilman, secured a decisive victory in the Jersey City mayoral runoff election on December 2, 2025, emphatically defeating former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey. The result successfully thwarted McGreevey’s high profile attempt at a political comeback, two decades after his scandalous resignation as governor. Solomon’s win, which saw him take approximately 68% of the vote compared to McGreevey’s 32%, was not just a victory for the candidate but a clear repudiation of the established Hudson County political machine and a resounding mandate for a new generation of leadership focused on affordability and reform.
The mayoral contest, which was nonpartisan but pitted two Democrats against one another, had been forced into a runoff after neither candidate achieved a majority in the November 4 general election. Solomon, 41, ran a campaign that successfully positioned him as the voice of the future, focusing relentlessly on the issues directly affecting working families and young residents. His core platform centered on combating rising rents through the implementation of new rent controls, overseeing the development of more affordable housing, and putting a definitive end to sweetheart deals with developers and special interests. The message resonated strongly with voters eager for change from the city’s rapid, high cost development boom.
McGreevey, 68, attempted to leverage his extensive experience as a former governor, state assemblyman, and mayor, along with his recent community work running a prisoner reentry program in Jersey City. However, Solomon effectively countered the experience argument by framing the former Governor as the "politics of the past," continually reminding voters of McGreevey’s controversial 2004 resignation amidst a scandal involving an extramarital affair and the unqualified hiring of an aide. Solomon’s campaign characterized his opponent’s background as one riddled with "scandal after scandal," a narrative that ultimately proved disqualifying to a majority of the electorate, who favored a fresh start focused on accountability and economic justice.
The impact of Solomon’s trouncing victory is significant both locally and statewide. His win represents a powerful shift away from the entrenched power of the Hudson County political establishment, which had initially backed McGreevey. Solomon successfully consolidated support from other eliminated mayoral candidates, key labor unions like the Communications Workers of America (CWA), and progressive groups, demonstrating the power of grassroots organizing and coalition building. Furthermore, the win signals a broader trend where progressive candidates focused on affordability platforms are finding success against establishment figures, mirroring a similar recent result in New York City.
Looking ahead, Mayor elect Solomon, who will succeed Mayor Steve Fulop in January, faces the immediate challenge of translating his campaign promises into actionable policy. He has vowed to hire 100 new police officers, create a civilian complaint review board for police oversight, and appoint a deputy mayor for education to improve coordination with the independent school district. His administration will be tasked with steering New Jersey’s second largest city toward a more affordable and equitable future, having received a clear mandate from voters who definitively chose reform over a political restoration.