A Hart Research poll for Bill O’Dea’s campaign shows a very close race for Mayor of Jersey City. The results put Jim McGreevey at 23%, while Bill O’Dea and James Solomon are each at 20%. Mussab Ali follows with 12%, and Joyce Watterman has 3%. Another 21% of voters said they are still undecided, showing that the election could go in any direction.
If no one wins more than 50% of the vote, the city will hold a runoff election on December 2 to decide the next mayor. That vote could also decide a few city council seats.
The poll also looked at how voters feel about the main candidates. McGreevey had 47% positive and 29% negative ratings. O’Dea’s numbers were 46% positive and 12% negative; Solomon’s were 41% positive and 16% negative.
- The poll shows McGreevey at 23%, O’Dea and Solomon both at 20%, and 21% of voters undecided.
- Residents say housing costs, homelessness, transport, and safety are the biggest local issues.
- Outgoing Mayor Steven Fulop gives his honest take on the top candidates without backing anyone.
Candidates’ Backgrounds and Mayor Fulop’s Exit
The leading candidates all have different backgrounds. Bill O’Dea is a Hudson County Commissioner and former city councilman with many years in local politics. Jim McGreevey, a former New Jersey governor, resigned in 2004 after admitting to an affair with a man he had appointed to lead the New Jersey Department of Homeland Security and Preparedness. James Solomon, a two-term city councilman from downtown Jersey City, is known for focusing on reform and government transparency.
The other main candidates are Mussab Ali, who once served as president of the Board of Education, and Joyce Watterman, who is currently the City Council President.
Mayor Steven Fulop, who has served three terms, decided not to run again. He ran for the Democratic nomination for governor in June but did not win. After leaving office at the end of the year, he plans to move to New York to become president and CEO of the Partnership for New York City.
Housing, Homelessness, and Safety Lead Voter Concerns
With seven candidates competing to replace Mayor Fulop, voters are paying close attention to issues that affect everyday life in Jersey City. Residents say the city’s building boom over the past decade has raised rents and made housing less affordable. Many longtime residents have been forced to move because they can no longer afford to stay.
Transportation is another main concern. Several areas of Jersey City continue to have limited or unreliable transit options, leaving many residents struggling to reach their jobs or move around the city efficiently.
Homelessness and mental health are also major problems that voters want the next mayor to address. Many believe the city needs more programs to help people find stable housing and access mental health care.
Safety concerns have grown as well. Residents have mentioned worries about heavy traffic, crime, and a stronger presence of law enforcement in some neighborhoods. They say they want a mayor who can handle these issues while keeping the city safe and affordable.
Mayor Fulop Weighs In on the Candidates
Even though Mayor Steven Fulop has not endorsed anyone in the November 4 election, he shared his views about the race on Instagram, saying he was speaking as someone who has “run three times for mayor (and won).”
He said Mussab Ali, a former Board of Education president, is gaining support among younger and progressive voters and may be pulling some of that support away from Solomon. Fulop added that Ali is becoming more well-known for his policy ideas.
According to Fulop, Bill O’Dea has been gaining momentum in recent weeks. He said O’Dea has made progress on housing and other important issues and that his long ties with community groups are helping him connect with more voters.
Fulop also said Jim McGreevey has built one of the strongest campaign operations in the race, describing it as well-organized, active, and highly visible across the city.
Regarding Joyce Watterman, Fulop said her success depends on strong African American voter turnout. He noted that her campaign funding has been limited, which has affected her ability to reach more voters.
When speaking about James Solomon, Fulop said his campaign seems to have slowed down. He pointed out that the negative tone of his messaging and his narrow focus have limited his reach beyond Ward E, his council district.
Fulop did not predict who might win or make it into the December runoff, but gave a detailed look at how each campaign is performing.
