Fulop Says He Won't Run Again For Jersey City Mayor, But What About NJ Governor?

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop kicked off new year 2023 by announcing that he won't seek a fourth term — an announcement that's not very urgent, as he's not up for re-election until 2025.

However, the announcement may make it clear that he's finally ready to run for New Jersey governor.

A press release on Tuesday said, "Mayor Steven Fulop officially informed Jersey City residents today that he will not run for re-election in 2025. He will finish his current term with the same energy and focus on the continued transformation of Jersey City that he has spearheaded for the past decade."

One Hudson County political observer said, of the announcement, "It's the clearest sign that Mayor Fulop will run for governor in 2025."

Under Fulop's leadership, the city became New Jersey's second most populous, and became known as a destination for nightlife and to raise a family. Development and redevelopment have been taking place in each of the city's distinct neighborhoods.

Fulop, a former Marine, was elected to the City Council in 2005, after former Mayor Glenn Cunningham met him at a function and encouraged him to run for office.

He was elected mayor in 2013, and in 2021 became the first mayor to win a third full term since the current form of government was established.

“I first ran for elected office in Jersey City when I came back from serving abroad in the Marine Corps because I believed that I had something different to offer both as a leader and as a public servant," Fulop said Tuesday, "and I could not be more proud of the progress that our community has made since then."

During his time in office, Fulop also got married and is now a dad to two young children.

Fulop has had his share of critics, with some saying he's become part of the machine he once fought, that he downplayed crime, or citing other issues.

But why announce now?

The political observer suggested that the new year is a good time for fresh news.

Fulop had taken steps to run for the state's top spot in 2017, but dropped out — possibly because of competition for the Democratic nomination from Phil Murphy.

But Murphy is limited to two terms in a row.

Watch Fulop's announcement here.