Vote 2025: Race for New York City mayor, New Jersey governor and more | Live updates

Former Governor Jim McGreevey is among the candidates in a crowded field to become Jersey City's next mayor.

McGreevey, who is making a political comeback, has spent several years running the reentry corporation, helping former inmates turn their lives around.

He says soaring housing prices in Jersey City are driving long-time residents away.

James Solomon is a two-term city council member who says he's independent from the developers and the political machine.

"So for me, affordability is the core issue, both because I believe it in my core, but it's also what I hear in the doors every day," Solomon said.

But the race features seven different candidates with different perspectives.

City council president Joyce Watterman says her integrity is her strength.

"Integrity. You know, I want to say that having experience, I mean, local government for 12 years. I think that's important for people to know. I pastor in this city for over 30 years. All right. So I separate myself because I really bring to the table services that people need, understanding how people get through a life which is necessary more so now than ever," Watterman said.

While some candidates have impressive community resumes, the youngest person in the race, at only 28 years old, says he's the one with a vision for the future.

"People want to be in Jersey City. It's one of the most popular destinations across the state of New Jersey, across this region. So to address that problem, we need to make sure that we have housing supply that meets all incomes. Right. My vision for Jersey City is a city where people of all incomes can come and live here," mayoral candidate Mussab Ali said.

County Commissioner Bill O'Dea says his 40 years in public life shows his commitment and experience.

"I know how to put the projects together. And I know how to make sure developers actually do it. So real hands-on experience getting things done. No gap in my resume, right? My resumà goes 40 years straight. Public service and the last 30 years working within the not-for-profit sector and helping small businesses, developing affordable housing, job training programs, all things that are key to what Jersey City needs," O'Dea said.

Five of the seven candidates spoke to Eyewitness News.

It's possible that two of them will meet in a run-off because most believe it is unlikely that one candidate will get more than 50 percent of the vote on election day.

Anthony Johnson has the details.

Days after former President Barack Obama formally endorsed Mikie Sherrill in an ad, Sherrill announced that Obama will campaign with her at a Get Out the Vote rally in Newark on Nov. 1, just days before Election Day.

Obama similarly campaigned for Gov. Phil Murphy in Newark in late October 2021. Murphy beat Jack Ciattarelli by three points in that race.

Ciattarelli is expected to get the support of President Donald Trump virtually via telephone rallies.

Trump is currently not expected to campaign for Ciattarelli in person. Ciattarelli has also downplayed Obama wading into the race.

"A Democrat former president campaigning with a Democrat candidate for governor? Shocking," said his campaign strategist Chris Russell.

Sherill has had a string of high-profile Democrats come to New Jersey to campaign with her in the final weeks.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is slated to appear with her Saturday and Hillary Clinton held a recent fundraiser for her in NYC.

Both Andrew Cuomo and Zohran Mamdani made policy proposals at their events Tuesday.

Mamdani announced a new policy aimed at reducing wasteful spending in the public school system through common-sense procurement reform.

The frontrunner in the mayoral campaign laid out his plan to save the Department of Education money by streamlining the way contracts are procured and ensure more transparency.

Lauren Glassberg has the latest, reporting from the Upper West Side.

"We expect that these measures alone will result in at least a 10% reduction in redundant spending and a 30% decrease in retroactive and emergency procurement," Mamdani said.

While Mamdani spoke of education, Cuomo had his turn at the Association for a Better New York and called for city oversight of $40B capital budget for NYC transit.

Cuomo says as he'd improve subway service and safety, based on his experience rebuilding LaGuardia Airport and Moynihan Station and preventing the L train from shutting down while he was governor.

Curtis Sliwa said not only is he not dropping out of the mayor's race, but he is voting for himself on the first day of early voting on Saturday.

"Let's be very clear, I am not dropping out, under no circumstance, I've already been offered money to drop out, I said no," Sliwa said.

He said with 14 days left in the race, he will work every hour he can that is humanly possible.

"I suggest to Andrew Cuomo come off his high horse and actually if he wants to win this election, get out and campaign for your voters, because you have no get out the vote effort," Sliwa said.

N.J. Burkett reports from Midtown.