James Solomon Overwhelms Comeback Bid by Jim McGreevey — A Major Blow to the Hudson County Machine

JERSEY CITY — In a historic upset that signals a crumbling of entrenched political power in Hudson County, City Councilman James Solomon has defeated former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey in the December 2 runoff for mayor of Jersey City — the state’s second-largest city. 

Solomon, who had represented downtown Jersey City on the City Council since 2017, ran a campaign centered on affordable housing, greater transparency, stronger public safety, and anti-corruption — positioning himself as the vanguard of a new generation rejecting the influence of political machines. 

McGreevey, making a political comeback more than two decades after resigning in scandal, entered the race with support from establishment figures — including, according to reporting, alignment with longtime Hudson County powerbroker Brian P. Stack.  Many viewed McGreevey’s candidacy as a strategic attempt by the old guard to extend their influence over another major urban stronghold in the county.

But voters rejected that bid decisively. Solomon’s victory is more than a personal win — it’s a repudiation of the same old backroom dealings, of machine politics, of recycled corruption.

The final tally — as recorded on the official results page — shows Solomon capturing approximately 68.7% of the vote in the runoff to McGreevey’s 31.3%. 

This outcome sends a message: the residents of Jersey City opted for a new direction, one focused on real accountability, fairness, and a future that serves people — not political powerbrokers.

Expect ripple effects across Hudson County politics. With Solomon now slated to assume the mayoralty, the traditional power dynamics may be shifting dramatically — and not a moment too soon.