McGreevey will file campaign committee today for possible Jersey City mayoral run

Former Gov. James E. McGreevey will take a significant step toward a run for mayor of Jersey City in 2025 by filing a campaign committee today with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission.

While not making a formal announcement, McGreevey has already opened a campaign bank account and has begun raising money for his mayoral bid, the New Jersey Globe has confirmed.

He is the first prospective candidate for mayor to file.

McGreevey, a Jersey City native and resident for over a decade, has already become the front-runner to replace Fulop, who is running for governor, even though he has not formally announced his candidacy.

The 66-year-old McGreevey is looking to rekindle a political career that began as a legislator, mayor of Woodbridge, and from 2002 to 2004 as the Governor of New Jersey.

Community leaders and local elected officials, including State Sen. Brian P. Stack (D-Union City), began encouraging McGreevey to run earlier this year.  Nine Hudson County mayors have urged McGreevey to seek the mayoralty.

In September, McGreevey launched his new civic association, named for his late parents, Veronica and Jack McGreevey.

Today’s filing will put McGreevey’s campaign in compliance with state law.  New Jersey has no testing-the-waters category.

No candidates have formally entered the race.

Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea, viewed as a potential candidate for mayor, is unopposed in his bid for re-election to his county post next week.  He has $450,312 cash-on-hand that can be used to run for mayor.

Another possible mayoral contender, City Councilman James Solomon, has $41,865 in his campaign account.  City Council President Joyce Watterman has $9,783 banked.