| Photo via solomonforjc.com Website
Last of three-part series
As Jersey City approaches a pivotal election, Councilman James Solomon has emerged as a leading candidate for mayor—offering not just promises, but a proven record of principled leadership. Over the past seven years representing Ward E, Solomon has built a reputation for legislative grit, ethical reform, and community-first policymaking. His candidacy is grounded in transparency, equity, and a vision for a city where every resident—not just developers or insiders—has a stake in its future.
The first two parts of the Philippine Daily Mirror’s ongoing series have spotlighted Solomon’s achievements in housing, development, and anti-corruption. He authored Jersey City’s landmark “Right to Counsel” ordinance, guaranteeing legal representation for low-income tenants facing eviction. He’s pushed for rent freezes against law-breaking landlords, banned algorithmic rent-setting tools linked to price manipulation, and demanded deeply affordable units in all new developments. His housing agenda is bold, data-driven, and rooted in the belief that dignity begins at home.
RELATED STORY: Part 1 – From Council to Candidacy: Solomon’s Vision for Jersey City’s Future
RELATED STORY: Part 2 – James Solomon’s Jersey City Blueprint: From Council Grit to Mayoral Vision
Solomon’s stance on transparency is equally uncompromising. He’s proposed the creation of an independent municipal Inspector General—the first of its kind in New Jersey—with subpoena power and whistleblower protections. He’s pledged to publish key government records, make all public meetings accessible via Zoom, and strengthen ethics codes to eliminate nepotism and pay-to-play politics. His reforms aim to restore public trust and ensure that the city government works for everyone, not just those with connections.
In the second installment, Solomon laid out his infrastructure and public safety agenda. He’s committed to redesigning intersections and sidewalks to protect pedestrians, expanding protected bike lanes, and implementing open streets initiatives. He’s also vowed to overhaul sanitation contracts plagued by political favoritism, promising cleaner streets through transparent bidding and optimized waste collection.
But the final part of the series promises to delve into two of the most transformative pillars of Solomon’s platform: education and civic engagement.
Solomon believes that empowering Jersey City begins with investing in its youth. His education agenda includes expanding access to early childhood programs, strengthening partnerships with public schools, and creating pathways to mentorship, apprenticeships, and job training. He envisions a city where every child—regardless of zip code—has the tools to thrive academically and professionally.
Equally vital is his commitment to civic engagement. Solomon wants to institutionalize community voice through participatory budgeting, neighborhood councils, and youth advisory boards. He’s proposed appointing a Deputy Mayor for Affordable Housing and Economic Development to ensure that equity is not just a campaign slogan, but a governing principle.
Education and civic engagement are not side issues—they are the foundation of a resilient, inclusive Jersey City. They empower residents to shape their own futures, hold leaders accountable, and build communities rooted in justice and opportunity.
As the final installment of the series approaches, Solomon’s candidacy offers a compelling blueprint for change. He’s not just running for office—he’s running to redefine what leadership looks like in Jersey City.
On Education & Youth Engagement
What role do you see for city government in supporting public schools and youth programs, especially for Filipino and other immigrant communities?
The city government has a vital role to play in supporting our public schools and expanding youth programs. I want to make sure our youth programs meet the needs of every parent in the city, including families who are a part of our city’s vibrant immigrant community. That’s why I’m pledging to create 1,000 new slots for summer jobs and internship programs for Jersey City youth, and significantly expand after-school offerings. I was also proud to make our pools free again this past summer. I see the Department of Recreation partnering with organizations like PACCAL to promote these summer job opportunities and directly connect the Filipino community with city resources.
As Mayor, I also plan to appoint a Deputy Mayor for Education to serve as a liaison between parents, teachers, the city, and the Jersey City Board of Education. The Deputy Mayor’s office would work directly with community members across the city, including meeting directly with Filipino community leaders, to hear their concerns about our schools and what the JCBOE should provide for our students. They will ensure our elected Board works in tandem with parents and our city to meet the goals we all share, including reducing our schools’ unacceptably high 25% chronic absenteeism rate and improving literacy and math performance standards.
” As part of my plan to host 100 town halls before the end of the year, I plan to hold youth town halls to engage high school students and younger individuals in civic engagement, the importance of making our voices heard, and understanding what youth want to see from their government.”
How will you elevate youth voices in policymaking, particularly around climate, transit, and digital equity?
Climate, transit, and ensuring everyone has access to the tools they need to navigate our digital world will be key priorities for a Solomon administration. As an environmental policy professor and the father of three young girls, I know firsthand that our future depends on our children having a say in the world they’re about to inherit. I want to ensure that we regularly engage youth voices in these important conversations. As part of my plan to host 100 town halls before the end of the year, I plan to hold youth town halls to engage high school students and younger individuals in civic engagement, the importance of making our voices heard, and understanding what youth want to see from their government.
On Civic Engagement
How will your administration make city council proceedings more accessible to non-English speakers and working-class residents?
Non-English speakers are often excluded from civic engagement due to language and accessibility barriers. Meanwhile, working-class residents often struggle to attend City Council meetings and civic engagement opportunities due to time and location constraints. This keeps entire communities out of our civic life, and it’s both wrong and a huge loss to our city not to have these voices included.
“As Mayor, I intend to make every city council meeting virtually accessible, with opportunities for virtual comment. I also plan to have the live recordings, as well as minutes recorded of every City Council meeting, published the day after a meeting …”
As Mayor, I intend to make every city council meeting virtually accessible, with opportunities for virtual comment. I also plan to have the live recordings, as well as minutes recorded of every City Council meeting, published the day after a meeting is held, with closed captioning and translation services available directly on the website.
What’s your strategy for engaging Jersey City’s immigrant communities in participatory budgeting or local elections?
As Mayor, I intend to host 100 town halls in my first year. I want to ensure that, as part of these town halls, we take special care to hold town halls specific to Jersey City’s various immigrant communities, open to all, and located right in the neighborhoods they call home. Furthermore, I’m a strong supporter of participatory budgeting and aim to bring it to every ward in the city, taking special care to include our immigrant communities in the process.
Solomon’s slate for the City Council includes Denise Ridley, Ward A; Lorena Loayza, Ward B; Dawn Giambalvo, Ward C; Veronica Akaezuwa, Ward D; Eleana Little, Ward E; Frank Gilmore, Ward F; and candidates for Council At-Large Michael Griffin, Mamta Singh, and Rolando Lavarro.
