Five Hudson mayors urge McGreevey to run in Jersey City

Five more Hudson County mayors want former James E. McGreevey to run for mayor of Jersey City in 2025, giving the fledgling political comeback of the former New Jersey governor more steam as he decides if he wants to succeed Steven Fulop at the helm of the state’s second-largest city.

Support from North Bergen Mayor/State Sen. Nicholas Sacco, Guttenberg Mayor Wayne Zitt, East Newark Mayor Dina Grilo, Harrison Mayor James Fife, and Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli follow calls for McGreevey to run by Union City Mayor Brian P. Stack, Bayonne Mayor Jimmy Davis, West New York Mayor Albio Sires, and Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner.

“Jim McGreevey is a good friend, and one of the hardest working public servants in New Jersey. Jim is devoted to helping others,” said Sacco.  “I urge Jim to run for mayor to lead Jersey City. I look forward to working to make Jim Jersey City’s next mayor.”

McGreevey, a Jersey City 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.

Securing endorsements from other mayors would be irrelevant in many municipalities, but in Hudson County, where organization power is channeled through the twelve mayors, this is the way campaigns pick up steam.

“As Hudson County Mayors, we can tell you that residents are urgently concerned with their quality of life.  From the increased costs of living to inadequate street lighting to congested traffic, working families need responsive, thoughtful, and experienced leadership,” Sacco, Zitt, Grilo, Fife, and Gonnelli said in a joint statement.  “Jim McGreevey has the experience. He’ll work day and night to provide for working families so that they can stay and succeed.”

Fulop has stayed out of the race as he mounts his statewide campaign.

Last week, McGreevey launched his new civic association, named for his late parents, Veronica and Jack McGreevey.  At least five Jersey City councilmembers, three Hudson County commissioners, a slew of Jersey City political workers, along with Stack and Hudson County Executive candidate Craig Guy, were part of an estimated crowd of 500 that attended the event; attendance did not necessarily signify an endorsement.