JERSEY CITY, New Jersey. November 9, 2023 (Biz Republic) — Former New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey announced Thursday that he will seek the mayor’s office in Jersey City in 2025. He made the announcement in a video posted online and formally launched his campaign with a news conference later in the day. McGreevey, surrounded by many members of the state’s Democratic political machine, officially announced his campaign at “El Sabor Del Cafe Restaurante”, a local restaurant on 31 MLK Drive, Jersey City.
McGreevey, a Democrat, is a former Woodbridge Township mayor who was elected governor in 2002. He announced in August 2004 that he was “a gay American”. He resigned that year. “I was imperfect and I’ll always be imperfect,” McGreevey, 66, said at the start of the video, which shows him watching a portion of his resignation announcement. “It’s important to take responsibility and do the next right thing.”
“I will work tirelessly to bring immediate, prudent change to Jersey City,” said McGreevey, who once promised he’d never return to politics. “This election is not about yesterday. It’s about our tomorrows. And candidly, I have made mistakes in my own life for which I have apologized and owned.” McGreevey, 66, resigned as governor nearly 20 years ago. The resignation is now part of McGreevey’s campaign video, where he’s seen contemplating in between clips of that historic moment.
His daughter, also featured in the video, stood by him during Thursday’s announcement. “Our family roots in this city run deep,” said Jaclyn McGreevey. Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea said he’s challenging McGreevey and announcing his candidacy on Nov. 18. McGreevey said a degree in theology and work in prison reform have helped him become a better person. “Those were invaluable lessons. I dealt with people who came out of prison who had nothing, who didn’t have a dime, who didn’t have a place to go,” said McGreevey.
After leaving office, McGreevey founded the New Jersey Reentry Corporation, which provides job training, counseling and many other services to people who are released from prison and returning to communities they may have left decades before. McGreevey is the first to announce his run for mayor. He’s hoping to succeed three-term Mayor Steve Fulop, who has already announced he’s running for governor in 2025. Jersey City, located across the Hudson River from New York City, has about 284,000 residents and is the state’s second-most populous city.
“It is a day when we will begin to bring the change we need to Jersey City: to work for greater accountability, reliable services, clean and safe streets, and controlled property taxes for working families. As my friend Mayor Stack has set a visible, tangible standard of excellence in Union City, so too we must work harder and smarter for the residents and community of our Jersey City,” McGreevey said.
