The Jersey Metropolis mayoral race is a close to three-way useless warmth only a week earlier than election day — and the mud-slinging is in full drive.
Ex-NJ Gov. James McGreevey — who was famously outed as a “homosexual American” and resigned amid a 2004 intercourse scandal — leads the crowded subject with 23%.
He’s trailed by long-time Hudson County Commissioner Invoice O’Dea and downtown Jersey Metropolis Councilman James Solomon, who’re each polling at 20%, in accordance with insider polling from Hart Analysis, the New Jersey Globe reported.
McGreevey is attempting to push his method again into the highlight after he shocked the nation and resigned as governor greater than 20 years in the past amid accusations of sexual harassment by a male aide.
O’Dea, a lifelong Jersey Metropolis resident, has served on the Hudson County Board of Commissioners since 1997, and is presently in his eighth time period — however his lengthy tenure means he’s additionally been related to most of the colourful, criminally corrupt characters in native politics.
Solomon, who was elected to the town council in 2017, represents the downtown space of Jersey Metropolis, which has seen a improvement growth in recent times — however is now dealing with excessive rents and property costs which can be squeezing out some longtime companies and residents.
Solomon has launched an aggressive marketing campaign that has tried to ding his different two opponents.
First, he claimed that McGreevey was promoting out Jersey Metropolis by taking cash from New York donors who’re Republicans or beforehand backed MAGA candidates.
McGreevey mentioned the donations have been proof he might usher in cash and help from throughout the political spectrum to assist the town, if elected.
Extra just lately, Solomon is attempting to tie O’Dea to disgraced ex-NJ Sen. “Gold Bar Bob” Menendez and different crooked Hudson County pols.
He additionally backed ex-Jersey Metropolis Board of Schooling president Sudhan Thomas earlier than he was charged and sentenced to probation this month for a corruption conviction of his personal.
However O’Dea swiped again at assaults from Solomon’s workforce over the declare.
“Invoice was simply one of many many Jersey Metropolis Democrats who supported Bob Menendez and Sudhan Thomas effectively earlier than their current authorized points, and attempting to attach him to them now once they have had no contact in years is a laughable accusation,” O’Dea’s spokesman, Philip Swibinski, instructed The Publish.
“The truth that James Solomon is attempting to smear Invoice O’Dea within the remaining weeks of this race reveals how determined he’s getting because it turns into increasingly clear that his marketing campaign is totally failing to attach with voters past his rich Downtown base,” Swibinski mentioned.
When Menendez — the highly effective ex-Senate Overseas Relations Committee Chair — was beneath investigation in that federal probe, O’Dea instructed Politico in 2023 that Menendez was a “trailblazer” and an “icon.”
“He’s been there for such an extended, very long time,” mentioned O’Dea, who was endorsed by Menendez for his Hudson County workplace.
That reward got here regardless of Menendez beforehand being indicted on federal corruption costs in 2015. That case resulted in a mistrial.
O’Dea additionally endorsed Menendez’s son, Rob Menendez, in his congressional reelection marketing campaign in 2024.
Solomon’s camp can be slamming O’Dea for his historical past with former Jersey Metropolis Councilman Philip Kenny, who served as O’Dea’s chief of workers for eight years. Kenny pleaded responsible to extortion costs and accepting a $5,000 bribe whereas he was on the council in 2009, in accordance with NJ.com.
Kenny, who O’Dea nonetheless considers a pal, “made a horrible mistake and paid dearly for it,” Swibinski mentioned.
“Perhaps if James Solomon spent a while outdoors of Downtown, he would see the constructive impression that Phil Kenny has made, which is why he has been honored by a number of native nonprofits and church buildings for his dedication to serving to folks in Jersey Metropolis,” he added.
Solomon himself has appeared beside Kenny at public occasions, as effectively — O’Dea’s workforce was fast to level out.
Solomon mentioned that the subsequent mayor must “clear up the mess at metropolis corridor,” which he claims has been closely influenced since the price of residing exploded in New Jersey’s second-largest metropolis.
If not one of the candidates obtain a 50% majority of the vote, Jersey Metropolis will maintain a runoff election on Dec. 2.
Incumbent Mayor Steven Fulop introduced he wouldn’t search reelection after he misplaced his bid for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination to Mikie Sherill. He’s since accepted a high-profile gig throughout the river in Manhattan.
Different candidates trailing within the polls embrace former Jersey Metropolis BOE president Mussab Ali; Jersey Metropolis Council President Joyce Watterman; police officer Christina Freeman; and musician Kalki Jane-Rose.
