Ward F Council Candidate Frank Gilmore Gets First Dose Of Vaccine

JERSEY CITY, NJ —Frank Gilmore, who is running as an independent candidate for Ward F councilman, posted photos on Twitter Thursday morning showing him receiving the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Gilmore posted the photos with the message: "Today I took my first vaccination shot, to be honest at first I was scared and hesitant but thanks to my family and friends for helping make sense of the importance of getting vaccinated. Sometimes its not always about you."

Wednesday night, at a Meet and Greet featuring Gilmore and Ward E Councilman James Solomon, Gilmore had revealed that he was not vaccinated.

In a video posted on YouTube, Gilmore and Solomon, appearing on the Barrow Mansion porch, are asked if they are vaccinated. Solomon gives a thumbs up, but Gilmore, who runs the Educational Gilmore Community Learning Center, explains to the crowd that he has not gotten the shot, though his wife is vaccinated.

"I'm not vaccinated because I really want to see the actual data on the vaccine," Gilmore says. "I've been reading a lot of conflicting stories, which are angering me with respect to the different types of side effects and things of that nature. That's why I'm not vaccinated."

On Thursday morning, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop posted the video on his Twitter account. One of Gilmore's two opponents in the Ward F race is incumbent Ward F Councilman Jermaine Robinson, who is part of the Team Fulop slate. Fulop aide Vernon Richardson also is running.

In posting the video, Fulop was critical of Gilmore for not being vaccinated.

"Elections matter GREATLY. In Jersey City we have an anti-vaxxer running for city council in Ward F," Fulop wrote. "The reality is that this type of misinformation is dangerous and irresponsible as he goes to senior homes and schools maskless while spreading nonsense."

Solomon, meanwhile, issued a Thursday statement saying he had been surprised by Gilmore's admission that he was not vaccinated. Solomon said he spoke to the candidate after the Meet and Greet, and assured the public that Gilmore would be getting vaccinated.

"The Covid-19 vaccine is safe, effective and is instrumental to ending this pandemic," Solomon said. "Before last night's event, I was unaware of Frank Gilmore's vaccination status. Following the event, I had an honest and private discussion with Frank where he informed me that he is getting vaccinated (Thursday) morning. This moment highlights how important it is that we all continue to have these types of conversations with our friends and families until everyone gets the vaccine."