Jersey City Council President Joyce E. Watterman has officially endorsed former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey in the city’s mayoral runoff election. The announcement came shortly after the first round of voting ended without a majority winner. The runoff, scheduled for December 2, will now be between McGreevey and Councilman James Solomon, who received the two highest vote totals in a seven-candidate field.
Watterman, a three-term at-large council member and community leader, earned 2,490 votes, about 4% of the total. Her support is expected to strengthen McGreevey’s position in the final stretch of the campaign. Known for her focus on affordable housing, education, and social inclusion, Watterman’s backing adds weight to McGreevey’s message of unity and opportunity.
- Council President Joyce E. Watterman endorsed former Governor Jim McGreevey in the Jersey City mayoral runoff set for December 2, 2025.
- Watterman, who finished fifth in the initial race with 2,490 votes, praised McGreevey’s leadership in local government and community work.
- The runoff between McGreevey and Councilman James Solomon has become a contest between progressive and establishment-backed leaders in Jersey City.
Vote Totals, Alliances, and the Road to December 2
The initial round of the mayoral race showed how competitive Jersey City politics have become. James Solomon, who represents Ward E, led the race with 18,339 votes, or 29%; Jim McGreevey followed with 15,760 votes, or 25%. Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea placed third, and Mussab Ali came in fourth with 11,876 votes.
Solomon’s campaign has drawn support from several well-known figures, including U.S. Senator Andy Kim, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, and Commissioner O’Dea. All have joined the city’s progressive movement, which has grown in strength over recent years.
McGreevey, meanwhile, has built his campaign around his experience in government and public service. Watterman’s endorsement connects him with faith-based and community-driven networks across Jersey City, particularly in Greenville, Bergen-Lafayette, and the Heights. As the first African American council president, Watterman’s leadership record and grassroots influence bring an important layer of credibility and reach to his campaign.
Shared Vision Rooted in Service and Opportunity
Watterman’s endorsement focused on McGreevey’s long record of leadership and service. As Mayor of Woodbridge, he helped rebuild neighborhoods and manage local budgets responsibly. During his time as New Jersey’s governor, he worked to expand access to education and environmental protection programs.
After leaving the governor’s office, McGreevey became the head of the New Jersey Reentry Corporation (NJRC), a nonprofit that helps people returning from prison restart their lives. Under his direction, the NJRC has supported more than 25,000 men and women by offering employment assistance, healthcare access, and other essential services. The organization has also achieved a 50% job placement rate, enrolled over 18,000 people in Medicaid, and provided about 13,000 addiction treatment referrals.
Watterman’s own work in Jersey City mirrors this focus on inclusion and opportunity. A lifelong minister and educator, she has led initiatives such as the H.O.P.E. Summer Program, which provides children with safe learning environments, and Women Working Together for Change, which supports women’s social and economic advancement.
