Jersey City Mayor Fulop Confirms He'll Run For Governor In 2025

JERSEY CITY, NJ — After saying earlier this year that he wouldn't run for a fourth term as Jersey City Mayor, Steven Fulop announced Tuesday morning that he will run for governor of New Jersey in 2025.

He made the announcement in a video posted Tuesday morning.

The video starts with images of the World Trade Center falling and notes that Fulop left his job at Goldman Sachs after Sept. 11 to join the Marines.

"I believe leadership is standing up for what you believe in," Fulop says. "I hope you're with me because we have a lot to do."

The Jersey City mayor hopes to claim the seat to be vacated when Gov. Phil Murphy’s second term ends.

Fulop lives with his wife and two children in Jersey City, which, during Fulop's nine years in office, grew to become the second most populous city in the state.

Fulop was elected in November 2013 and is now halfway through his third term.

Under Fulop's leadership, Jersey City has undergone what his spokesperson called an "unprecedented renaissance," with many restaurants, tech firms, and other businesses choosing to launch their first New Jersey location on the city's waterfront or in interior neighborhoods like Journal Square. READ MORE: Company That Grows Human Bones Gets Grant To Move To Jersey City

The city has become a destination for nightlife and the arts, with Food & Wine Magazine calling it one of America's top up-and-coming foodie towns.

“From my time serving as a U.S. Marine to leading Jersey City as mayor, my career has always been guided by a strong desire to take on difficult challenges and find solutions that help improve people's lives," Fulop said Tuesday, "and now I’m running for governor to bring those same
values to Trenton."

"I’m launching my campaign now because I believe that New Jersey can become an even better place for all of us," he said, "and I will be sharing my vision over the coming months for how we will make it happen. I’ve never backed down from a fight before."

Fulop's administration has also elicited criticism, including longtime complaints about allegedly downplaying violent crime numbers.

Keep reading Jersey City Patch for more on Fulop's run and other important Jersey City news, including:

• READ MORE: Fulop Delivers His 10th State Of The City Address
  
• READ MORE: Jersey City Tenants Will Rally Wednesday To Support "Right To Counsel" Ordinance To Help Renters Facing Eviction