A disgraced former Democratic governor making an attempt a political comeback is cashing in on donations from Huge Apple powerbrokers — but it surely’s not Andrew Cuomo.
Ex-New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey’s bid for Jersey Metropolis mayor marks one other native former governor attempting to make his manner again into the political highlight after resigning amid scandal — and he’s looking for dough from New York Metropolis GOP donors and Trump cronies to do it.
The election for Jersey Metropolis mayor is meant to be non-partisan, so McGreevey’s marketing campaign opponent, Jersey Metropolis Councilman James Solomon, is blasting McGreevey, a former Democrat, for courting MAGA.
“MAGA mega-donors who have poured millions into Donald Trump are powering Jim McGreevey’s campaign, and it’s time for Jersey City voters to ask a simple question: Why?” Solomon informed The Put up.
McGreevey informed The Put up he’s courting MAGA Republicans to draw federal {dollars} to Jersey Metropolis if he turns into mayor.
“Over the years, I have developed friendships and working relationships with persons on both sides of the aisle who hopefully respect my work ethic and ability to get things done,” McGreevey stated.
“Critical to Jersey City’s future success is the ability to attract federal and state financial support to address infrastructure needs, including sewer and water pipelines, rebuilding our schools, reconstructing our roads, and improving our public transportation system,” he added.
The previous New Jersey governor surprised the nation in 2004 by saying he was resigning from workplace as a result of he’s homosexual and had an extramarital affair with a person who aides stated then tried to blackmail him for $5 million.
Within the years since, McGreevey had stayed out of politics however is now angling for a comeback much like Cuomo, who reentered public life throughout the Hudson along with his present bid for mayor of New York Metropolis.
Cuomo resigned as New York’s governor in August 2021 amid a slew of sex-harassment allegations and different controversies. He has denied any wrongdoing in all of them.
McGreevey has taken lots of of hundreds of {dollars} from greater than 200 donors who’ve backed MAGA Republicans equivalent to Donald Trump and Ted Cruz, in accordance with marketing campaign finance filings.
Donors to McGreevey’s mayoral marketing campaign have additionally given greater than $3.3 million to Trump and Trump-affiliated PACs, in accordance with Federal Election Fee and New Jersey marketing campaign finance databases.
“Jim McGreevey’s Trump donors are basking in Mar-A-Lago while Trump wrecks the economy, sends people without due process to foreign prisons, and attacks working people,” Solomon stated. “Jersey City deserves better than a mayor who will sell Jersey City out to Trump extremists to advance his personal quest for power.”
Certainly one of McGreevy’s backers is John Catsimatidis, who has given hundreds of thousands of {dollars} to Republicans for many years. The Empire State grocery-store magnate and talk-show host has constantly backed Trump’s presidential campaigns. Catsimatidis co-chaired a marketing campaign finance occasion for Trump in 2024.
Metro-area financier Kenneth Pasternak, who was charged with fraud by the federal Securities and Trade Fee, is one other Trump supporter who donated to McGreevey’s mayoral marketing campaign, in accordance with marketing campaign finance filings.
New Jersey state Sen. Douglas Steinhardt additionally donated to McGreevey’s marketing campaign.
McGreevey is main his opponents in fundraising for the race. McGreevey has raised $2,176,361 up to now and nonetheless has $986,381 in his marketing campaign account, in accordance with the New Jersey marketing campaign finance database.
Solomon has raised $838,951 and has $613,892 money readily available, in accordance with the New Jersey marketing campaign finance database.
The place for Jersey Metropolis mayor opened up when Mayor Steven Fulop introduced in 2021 he would run for governor of New Jersey in 2025 slightly than search a fourth time period as mayor.
