NJ Working Families Party Endorses Fulop, Lavarro, Solomon

JERSEY CITY, NJ —The New Jersey Working Families Party (NJWFP) on Tuesday endorsed three incumbents, including Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, ahead of the Nov. 2 election. In addition to the race for mayor, all nine seats on the Jersey City Council are being contested.

In a series of tweets, the NJWFP, endorsed Fulop, At-Large Councilman Rolando Lavarro and Ward E Councilman James Solomon.

The NJWFP, a local branch of a national Working Families Party, describes itself as: "a grassroots political organization fighting for a government that represents the needs and values of working families," according to the organization's website.

The NJWFP website continues: "We elect candidates who share our values and organize campaigns to advance progressive policies. Together we're building a movement of working families to build a New Jersey for the many, not the few."

Fulop is running for a third term against educator Lewis Spears, who is heading a group of independent candidates.

On Hudson County View.com, Sue Altman, the state director of the NJWFP, said in a statement that Fulop is "leading the charge" in "our fight for economic justice."

"From standing up for high wages for working class residents to ensuring equitable treatment for the LGBTQ community to fighting back against climate change on the local level and so many other courageous stances, we know Mayor Fulop will continue to stand with us and with the working families of Jersey City just like he always has done," Altman said.

Lavarro is running for one of three at-large council seats. This past weekend, he and Ward B council candidate Joel Brooks mutually endorsed one another.

Solomon currently is the Ward E councilman and is running against Jake Hudnut, a Jersey City municipal prosecutor. Solomon released his anti-corruption plan this week, after releasing an affordable housing plan last month.

Solomon already was endorsed by the Downtown Small Business Owners and the Harsimus Cove Neighborhood Association this week.

In a statement Wednesday, Solomon thanked the NJWFP for the latest endorsement.

"I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Working Families Party because this election is about creating a downtown for working families, not for the developers and special interests who for too long ran roughshod over our community," Solomon wrote on social media.

Early voting for the election will take place from October 23-31.