Jim McGreevey, the former governor of New Jersey, is leading the Jersey City mayoral race with the most money raised so far. As of April 2025, McGreevey’s campaign reported a total of $2,176,361 raised. He has $986,381 left in his personal campaign account and $944,138 left in his team account, with a total cash-on-hand close to $1.93 million.
The election is set for November 4, and it is a non-partisan municipal vote. McGreevey is one of five candidates running to replace Mayor Steve Fulop, who is not seeking re-election and is instead running for governor.
- Jim McGreevey leads with nearly $2.2 million raised, giving him a major fundraising advantage in the five-candidate Jersey City mayoral race.
- City finances are in disarray, with McGreevey promising to tackle overspending and long-term deficits totaling $219 million in deferred charges.
- Catherine Healy, daughter of former Mayor Jerramiah Healy, joins McGreevey’s council slate, symbolizing a bridge between past leadership and current reform efforts.
McGreevey’s Support Comes from PACs, Unions, and Political Figures
According to the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC), McGreevey raised $199,219 in the first quarter of 2025. His expenses for that period totaled $334,330.
Three political action committees based in Washington, D.C., contributed:
- New Jersey for Our Future gave $17,300
- New Jersey for All gave $9,300
- New Jersey Together gave $8,300
Several local businesses and political allies also gave large amounts. Ziggy’s Auto Sales in Jersey City contributed $11,000. Livingston-based Spinello Companies gave $11,100. Edison’s Federal Business Centers Inc. contributed $7,500. James Cecchi from the Roseland law firm Carmella Byrne donated $5,500. Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin gave $3,900. Ed Florio from Florio Kenny Reval LLP gave $3,500.
Mana Miami Management gave $5,000, as did David Samuel from CME Associations. Former Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy, whose daughter is running with McGreevey, gave $4,500. Hartz Mountain Industries added $4,000. Former governors Dick Codey and Eliot Spitzer each donated $10,000 from their campaign accounts.
McGreevey’s Team Slate Also Sees Major Funding
The Team McGreevey account, which includes donations for City Council candidates, raised $427,262 in the first quarter and has $944,138 remaining. Its only reported expense was $6,000, which was paid to Pompton Lakes-based Taxed for Time for legal and accounting services.
The campaign slate received $103,800 from the Greater New Jersey Carpenters PEC, $70,000 from the New Jersey State Laborers, $33,000 from the Hugo Nu Corporation from Kearny, and $17,100 from David McPherson of Waters McPherson McNeill.
Other donations included $35,000 from Atucope, the Transit Workers Union, and $19,100 from attorney Eric Bernstein. Eastern Millwork President Andrew Campbell donated $22,500, and the company itself gave an additional $5,000. Helen Brzozowski, a Union City Board of Education employee, gave $12,000. Port Authority Chair Kevin O’Toole and his law partner, Thomas Scrivo, each gave $28,000. Paul Weiner of the Weiner Law Group gave $20,000.
Other Candidates Trail in Fundraising
There are four other candidates in the race, and all are significantly behind McGreevey in fundraising.
Councilman James Solomon has raised $838,510 in total. In the first quarter, he brought in $219,629. His campaign has $613,892 left, and his team account holds $327,760.
Hudson County Commissioner William O’Dea has raised $828,951 overall. He collected $103,720 in the first three months of 2025 and has $628,177 cash on hand. His team account raised $222,282, with $167,886 remaining.
Former Board of Education President Mussab Ali has raised $354,853, including $62,816 in the first quarter. He has $190,791 left. His team account raised $9,200 this year and has $9,184 on hand.
Council President Joyce Watterman has raised $281,045 total, including $35,627 in the first quarter. Her campaign has $42,096 in cash.
Catherine Healy Joins McGreevey’s Council Slate
McGreevey named Catherine Healy, daughter of former Mayor Jerramiah Healy, as his candidate for Ward D. She is running for the seat currently held by Yousef Saleh, who is leaving to run for the State Assembly as part of Mayor Fulop’s team.
Catherine Healy is a city resident and works as the deputy director of the Hudson County Department of Family Services and Reintegration. Her responsibilities include supervising attorneys, enforcing labor policies, overseeing child support services, and representing the department in court.
In her statement, she said, “Jersey City shaped who I am—from growing up in the Heights to raising my own children here—and I’m running for City Council to give back to the community that has given me so much.”
McGreevey praised Healy, calling her family the “gold standard” in public service and describing her as someone who understands labor law, public safety, and social services.
Other members of McGreevey’s slate include:
- Rich Boggiano (Ward C)
- Brandi Warren (Ward A)
- Efrain Orleans (Ward B)
- Ryan Baylock (Ward E)
- Gloria Walton (Ward F)
- Israel Nieves (At-Large)
- Meredith Burns (At-Large)
McGreevey Calls Out City for Poor Financial Management
McGreevey has also made the city’s financial situation a central issue in his campaign. In a letter to Jersey City Patch, he said the city’s budget problems have grown too large to ignore.
He cited official audits and the city’s 2024 budget, pointing out that the property tax rate has gone up 51.4% in just three years. He said Jersey City overspent by more than $73 million beyond its approved budgets due to weak internal controls.
McGreevey explained that once the city accepts a service or product, it is legally required to pay for it, even if the funds were not budgeted in advance. Because of this, unpaid bills are now being shifted to future taxpayers.
He also said that the city ran deficits in both 2021 and 2023, totaling $94 million, which is rare and not allowed under New Jersey state law. He said the city currently holds $219 million in Deferred Charges, with $112 million still unpaid as of December 2023. These are costs that were not funded at the time but must be paid off in future years.
McGreevey said Jersey City must stop postponing problems and take control of its finances. He promised to share more details over the next three weeks, including his plan to reduce debt and prevent further tax hikes.
