U.S. Sen. Andy Kim of New Jersey endorsed James Solomon in the race for Jersey City mayor Saturday — a notable nod from a politician known for ending the reign of the state’s powerful political machines.
Kim said there’s a hunger for a “new generation of leadership” in a video he posted Saturday on the social media platform X.
New Jersey’s second largest city is headed for a December 2 runoff for mayor after no candidate in the crowded field came away with more than 50% of the vote after Election Day. Solomon led the field with more than 29% and former Gov. Jim McGreevey was the runner-up with 25%.
Between now and December, party forces in New Jersey are likely to weigh in on the race as the two Democratic candidates consolidate support.
“ I see in James Solomon, someone that I can work with, someone that I'm excited about, someone who embodies that sense of a new generation of leadership,” Kim said Saturday. “ It's very easy, especially in New Jersey, to feel like politics is just some exclusive club for the well-off and the well-connected. But it shouldn't be, and now is a moment where we can change that.”
Solomon didn’t waste time sharing the endorsement, adding “Senator Kim and I fought against the NJ machine together, and as mayor I will partner with Andy to ensure we have a government that’s ethical and will focus on making life affordable.”
Kim has a unique history in Hudson County politics. He's credited with dramatically curbing the power of county party organizations during his 2024 run to replace disgraced former Sen. Bob Menendez.
Kim's rival, First Lady Tammy Murphy, had locked down support from the state’s most powerful county organizations, granting her prime placement on the election ballot — in many cases without party delegates even being allowed to vote.
Kim then successfully sued in federal court to strip the counties of their power to make those ballot decisions, which studies have shown can provide a significant advantage. Without that advantage, Murphy's path to victory all but evaporated —despite her husband being governor — and she dropped out of the race.
The Hudson County Democratic Organization, which backed Murphy in that race, was among the most famous — and infamous — party machines in America at one point. The boss-based system was a modern-day outgrowth of institutions like Tammany Hall in New York and leaders like Frank Hague, the Jersey City mayor who controlled governors and sometimes presidents through his Hudson County apparatus.
In modern days, Menendez was one of Hudson’s most powerful bosses. With him behind bars and recent changes in county leadership, a power vacuum has emerged with leaders like Union City Mayor Brian Stack gaining in profile.
Stack personally recruited McGreevey to run for mayor in Jersey City. And while he's being credited for his role in Governor-elect Mikie Sherril’s lopsided victory this week, Stack's influence fell short in neighboring Jersey City.
McGreevey’s record of scandal has been a focus of relentless attacks during the mayoral race and Solomon was able to marshal strong turnout in the downtown ward he represents to come out on top.
