Hudson County election officials allowed early voting Sunday in the Jersey City and Hoboken runoffs, scheduled for Tuesday, when a storm could slow down voters heading to the polls.
The Jersey City mayoral runoff pits 68-year-old former Gov. Jim McGreevey vs. 41-year-old Councilmember James Solomon.
McGreevey is attempting to make a political comeback years after he was forced to resign as governor. Solomon is a two-term councilman whose grandfather once ran the Federal Reserve.
Many voters in Jersey City say this has become the tale of two cities, one featuring upscale high rises, the other working class neighborhoods. Voters are looking for a leader who can make the city affordable.
Both candidates believe they are what the city needs to make it livable now and in the future.
Solomon, who sees himself as Jersey City's version of New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, got the most votes in the seven-way Nov. 4 general election. His 29% to McGreevey's 25% sent the race to Tuesday's runoff.
Like in New York City, affordability is the key issue of their campaigns. The two have been focused on how to best create affordable housing and combat skyrocketing property taxes.
Solomon is promising to take on developers who reshaped the city's skyline under the administration of Mayor Steve Fulop, who opted to try a failed run for governor instead of seeking a fourth term, and capping rents.
"We're going to audit every tax break that's going out to a developer. We're going to audit the payroll tax the corporations are required to pay, but we think many are skimping on," Solomon said.
McGreevey says he will rely on fiscal responsibility from his past political experience. He shared his vision for improving the city's affordability,
"It's not only just allowing market rate housing to be built, but having 20% set aside for affordable housing over that market rate," McGreevey said. "It's not only just having that market rate housing being built, but it's an opportunity for job and employment for young people in the community."
The clash of ideas becomes apparent when discussing affordable housing.
Councilman Solomon proposes a plan to force developers to build low-rent housing.
McGreevey says those would be substandard. Solomon, however, claims McGreevey is supported by developers.
"I, on the other hand, want to force them to build affordable housing. Some of that is genuinely affordable. Rents at $1,000 a month and under, rents at $1,500 a month and under. The former governor is critical of that plan," Solomon said.
McGreevey reacted to Solomon's proposal.
"So, when you say that you're going to give somebody $1,000 a month rent. With all due respect, Councilman Solomon, you're not living in that $1,000 a month rent facility, because, I mean, if you were to do $1,000 a month rent, the size of the blueprint is going to be inadequate for a family," McGreevey said.
The contrasts between the two candidates were apparent during their recent debate on Channel 11.
The mayoral runoff comes less than a month after the state governor's race, and days after Thanksgiving. With concerns over voter burnout, some residents say they want to make sure their voices are heard.
"There is a lot of overcrowding in the respect that the infrastructure isn't coming up to meet all of the new building," one woman told Eyewitness News.
Solomon paints himself as an outsider, despite serving on the Jersey City Council since 2017. McGreevey has been out of office since he resigned as governor in 2004.
Solomon got the backing of most of his initial opponents. Sen. Andy Kim is also backing Solomon, calling him a "new era of politics" in New Jersey.
McGreevey has most of the Democratic establishment on his side, including outgoing Democratic Governor Phil Murphy and the city's police union.
Stay tuned to Eyewitness News for results on Tuesday night.
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