Promising economic empowerment, reducing crime, and increasing affordable housing, Jersey City Council President Joyce Watterman announced on Wednesday that she would run for mayor next year,
“Let us remember the fight is not over,” said Watterman. “I want to make it clear today on Juneteenth as a black woman I am running for mayor of Jersey City.
Watterman said she would run on a platform of inclusive growth and sustainable development.
“I am committed to listening to the voices of our community and working tirelessly to make Jersey City a more prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable place for all,” she said.
Waterman also revealed four members of her slate who will run for city council: Alexander Hamilton, a former school board member; David Carment, a pastor and community leader from the city’s Greenville section; Kenny Reyes, who has lost races for city council and school board; and Lewis Spears, who won 32% in a mayoral run against Fulop in 2021.
The Jersey Journal reported in November that Watterman told them she was in the race, but her spokesperson disputed that today.
Watterman is the fourth candidate to formally enter the race, along with former Gov. James E. McGreevey, Hudson County Commissioner William O’Dea, and Mussab Ali, the former president of the Jersey City Board of Education.
The three-term incumbent, Steve Fulop, is not seeking re-election and instead is running for governor.
It’s still unclear if City Councilman James Solomon, who represents the downtown ward, will enter the race. Solomon has won twice without Fulop’s support and is widely viewed as the de facto leader of the progressive movement in Hudson County.
If she wins, Watterman would be the first woman to be elected mayor and the first black woman to serve. As city council president, Marilyn Roman served as acting mayor for nearly five months in 1992 after Gerald McCann was removed following his criminal conviction.
Watterman reported raising roughly $170,000, and had about $100,000 cash-on-hand by the end of the last reporting period in April. This money was raised into her city council account and can be transferred to her new campaign.