We’re proud to endorse James Solomon for Mayor and a full slate of progressive climate champions in the upcoming Jersey City election!  Our endorsed candidates are championing bold policy solutions that will make Jersey City a national leader in the fight against climate change. They’re committed to: 

• Fighting to stop the disastrous Turnpike Expansion project,
• Protecting Liberty State Park from billionaire-backed development,
• Aggressively cutting fossil fuel pollution from buildings with nation-leading standards,
• Making historic investments in the City’s public school system, including efficient HVAC systems powered by clean energy and more green spaces, so all kids have a healthy learning environment, and
• Developing green infrastructure projects across the city to make vulnerable communities more resilient to severe flooding and other climate impacts. 

The Jersey City Election Is Also Consequential For Our Whole State 

We must defeat the opposing candidates led by disgraced former Governor Jim McGreevey, whose corruption scandals and cozy relationships with billionaire real estate moguls disqualify him from taking on entrenched special interests to tackle the climate and affordability crises hurting Jersey City’s working families.  

We’re committed to partnering with James Solomon and a full slate of climate champion candidates for City Council to build independent progressive political power in a county that has, for too long, been dominated by broken machine party politics. 

This critical election comes on the heels of a historic victory for Food & Water Action endorsed candidates Katie Brennan and Ravi Bhalla in the State Assembly primary in the 32nd District against the Hudson County Democratic machine and their $1 million in campaign spending. 

Our successful campaign to elect Katie and Ravi is a clear rejection of politics-as-usual in the County. It also marks the beginning of a transformation of New Jersey politics after the collapse of the ballot line, which took power away from voters and prevented independent progressive candidates from breaking through into state politics. Voters in District 32, which includes Jersey City and Hoboken, showed that candidates who reject corporate power and fight for their communities can win. 

We now have the opportunity to build upon our work last June to fight for a political system that works for our people and planet, not corporate profits and elect a slate of candidates to office in NJ’s second-largest city who are committed to work for us by enacting nation-leading climate policies.

Our Endorsed Candidates Are Ready to Lead on Climate

Beyond James Solomon for Mayor, our endorsed candidates include Denise Ridley for Ward A, Joel Brooks for Ward B, Dawn Giambalvo for Ward C, Jake Ephros for Ward D, Eleana Little for Ward E, Frank Gilmore for Ward F, and Michael Griffin, Mamta Singh, and Rolando Lavarro for Council At Large!

And our endorsed candidates are committed to fighting climate change and environmental injustice with bold investments in clean energy, public transportation, healthy schools and green affordable housing.

Our endorsed candidates have stood with us in the fight to stop the disastrous NJ Turnpike expansion project, an $11 billion highway widening project through the heart of Jersey City. Highway widening projects do not alleviate traffic congestion but instead actually increase the number of cars on the road in what experts call induced demand.This ill-conceived project would put more cars and trucks on our roads, leading to more tailpipe pollution that damages our lungs and climate. 

These candidates are also committed to a historic plan to reduce pollution and greenhouse gases in Jersey City’s buildings. Nearly 70% of Jersey City’s emissions come from buildings, including pollutants like carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen oxides, and fluorinated gases. These pollutants are making residents sick and increasing the risk of damage to homes, businesses and critical infrastructure from climate change. By aggressively cutting fossil fuel pollution from buildings with nation-leading standards, Jersey City can chart a bold path forward towards clean air and a livable climate future.

Not only will these policies benefit Jersey City’s more than 200,000 residents, they will serve as a model of what’s possible and help us build political support for similar solutions at the state and federal level.

Our Endorsed Candidates

James Solomon for Mayor

James Solomon has a record of fighting corruption as a councilmember and has remained independent of the Hudson County political machine. He joined the lawsuit to end NJ’s unconstitutional “ballot line” and helped end the practice of tax abatements for luxury developers. He is committed to standing up to Trump while implementing the policy solutions that residents need.

Denise Ridley for Ward A

Denise Ridley is running for reelection to the Ward A Council seat. She is a staunch opponent of the NJ Turnpike Expansion that would be constructed through the Greenville Neighborhood that she represents.

Joel Brooks for Ward B

Joel Brooks is a community organizer and housing advocate who is committed to banning fossil fuel appliances in new construction and adopting a Green Health Schools Policy in Jersey City Schools.

Dawn Giambalvo for Ward C

Dawn Giambalvo is running for council to work for responsible development, safer streets, and more green public space — so families have room to grow, connect, and thrive.

Jake Efros for Ward D

Jake Ephros is a union organizer and teacher who is running for council to work for green development of city infrastructure, green schools, and green municipal services, including re-municipalization of the city’s water system.

Eleana Little for Ward E

Eleana Little is a progressive advocate and environmental engineer with a track record of fighting for her community. On the City Council, Little is committed to addressing the climate crisis with the building of resilient infrastructure while working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. She plans to adopt a green building code with efficiency standards and implement a climate impact fee on new development to fund a green infrastructure bank.

Frank Gilmore for Ward F

Frank Gilmore is a lifelong resident of Jersey City and has been representing Ward F since 2022. If reelected, Gilmore is committed to making Ward F a climate leader by creating a Ward F Renewable Energy Plan focused on innovation, lowering emissions, and becoming a model for the rest of Jersey City.

Michael Griffin for Council-At-Large

Michael Griffin is a lifelong resident of Jersey City and a longtime housing advocate. He has stood up to machine and developer interests and helped to bring majority-affordable housing projects in his community.

Mamta Singh for Council-At-Large

Mamta Singh has a background in community organizing and is the founder of JCFamilies, where she works to connect women and children to local opportunities and resources. On the Jersey City Council, Singh is committed to environmental justice and will work for clean air, green space, and environmental protections for all neighborhoods.

Rolando Lavarro  for Council-At-Large 

Rolando Lavarro served on the Jersey City Council from 2011 to 2021. During that time, he led the fight for affordable housing, advocated for transparency, and prioritized policies to make Jersey City more affordable.