The race to decide Jersey City’s next mayor is heating up, and a new poll suggests the campaign may be far more competitive than it first appeared. Bill O’Dea, a lifelong Jersey City resident and longtime elected official, is touting numbers that show him gaining ground in the November election — positioning himself as the strongest challenger to former Governor Jim McGreevey.
According to the survey, McGreevey currently leads with 30 percent support, O’Dea follows at 18 percent, and Councilman James Solomon sits in third. But perhaps the most telling number is the 27 percent of voters who remain undecided. That group will likely determine not only who makes it to the finish line in November, but also whether the election goes to a December runoff.
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Poll Results: Name Recognition vs. Room to Grow
The O’Dea campaign has framed the results as a sign of momentum, emphasizing that his candidacy has more potential to grow once voters become familiar with his record. O’Dea has spent decades in public service and is well known for his nonprofit work on affordable housing, as well as for standing against tax increases and championing progressive values.
The poll indicates that O’Dea is unknown to 52 percent of voters who initially supported McGreevey. His campaign argues this means once Jersey City residents learn more about his background, his numbers could rise significantly.
McGreevey’s lead, meanwhile, is attributed in large part to name recognition. The former governor has leveraged a well-financed early campaign with heavy outreach, advertising, and neighborhood events. But the survey also reveals a potential ceiling: while voters know his name, he carries the highest negatives in the field. For some residents, his resignation as governor still looms large, and name recognition doesn’t always translate into long-term support.
Bill O’Dea’s Pitch to Voters
O’Dea’s campaign has leaned on his deep Jersey City roots and his reputation as a grassroots leader. His team highlights decades of service — both as an elected official and through nonprofit work — as proof of his ability to connect with residents in need.
In the campaign’s words, O’Dea is seen as the candidate “with the most room to grow” because many voters have yet to hear his story. His record on housing, public safety, and affordability, along with his opposition to unnecessary tax hikes, are key themes his team is working to amplify across neighborhoods.
McGreevey’s Early Strategy
Jim McGreevey, for his part, has been actively courting voters through a series of town hall meetings and highly visible neighborhood “walks,” highlighting his personal conversations with residents. His campaign rollout has been aggressive, reflecting both his statewide profile and his need to reintroduce himself to Jersey City voters on a local level.
Still, the question remains: will McGreevey’s name recognition hold up as the campaign enters its final months, or will it fade as undecided voters learn more about his opponents?
🔹 Candidate Profiles Series – Jersey City Mayoral Election 2025
- Bill O’Dea: The Grassroots Candidate
- Lifelong Jersey City resident
- Decades in public office and nonprofit leadership
- Affordable housing advocate, track record on taxes and Democratic values
- Strategy: Building momentum as voters learn more about his record
- Jim McGreevey: The Former Governor’s Comeback Bid
- Former NJ governor with statewide name recognition
- High negatives tied to resignation, but strong campaign funding and early outreach
- Town halls and “walks” as his direct voter engagement strategy
- The challenge: translating name ID into sustained support
- James Solomon: The Progressive Voice
- Current Jersey City councilmember
- Known for reform-minded policies, good-government stances, and progressivism
- The underdog factor: where he fits in a McGreevey vs. O’Dea showdown
- Base of support: young voters, progressives, and reform advocates
Why This Race Matters
Jersey City is New Jersey’s largest city, a hub of culture, commerce, and rapid development. The mayor’s office holds significant influence not only over local issues like housing, policing, and transit, but also in statewide politics. A race featuring a former governor against seasoned local leaders like O’Dea and Solomon is rare, and it adds drama to an already high-profile contest.
This year’s gubernatorial election may dominate headlines, but the Jersey City mayoral race could have lasting implications for how the state’s most dynamic city is governed in the next decade.
Election Rules: November and Beyond
Voters should also note that Jersey City elections are now held in November, rather than the spring. If no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote, a runoff will take place in December — an unusual time for municipal elections, but one that ensures a decisive outcome.
That means for O’Dea, second place may be good enough to secure a spot in a head-to-head December runoff against McGreevey. His campaign believes that in a one-on-one matchup, grassroots support and local credibility could carry the day.
As O’Dea’s spokesman Phil Swibinski put it:
“Bill O’Dea has been building a true grassroots campaign for more than a year, and now that hard work is paying off as he is poised to secure a place in the city’s runoff election and ultimately defeat Jim McGreevey.”
✅ Bottom Line for Voters
- Current Polling: McGreevey 30%, O’Dea 18%, Solomon trailing, 27% undecided.
- O’Dea’s Strength: Local roots, grassroots support, affordable housing advocacy.
- McGreevey’s Edge: High name recognition but also high negatives.
- Runoff Likely: Unless one candidate breaks 50%, expect a December runoff.
The race to lead Jersey City is far from settled. With a third of voters still undecided and months of campaigning left, this contest could tighten considerably as Election Day approaches.
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