Mayoral candidate James Solomon ‘absolutely’ will not allow ICE to enter Jersey City

By Cristina DC Pastor

Out of the seven candidates vying to succeed Steven Fulop as mayor of Jersey City, James Solomon is working to distinguish himself in a crowded field.

First elected to the City Council in 2017 after an upset victory against the political machine, Solomon—a cancer survivor—has built a reputation for pushing reforms that seek to benefit all families.

In an interview with The FilAm, he  emphasized that “affordability will be the number one priority of my administration,”  acknowledging that  the “outrageous cost of property taxes in Jersey City is a huge reason why we’re in an affordability crisis.”

Solomon holds a Master’s in Public Policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and a Bachelor of Arts from Pomona College.

Just two months after marrying Gabrielle Ramos in 2015, he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Today, he is grateful to have reached the milestone of being cancer-free. He and Gabrielle are proud parents to three daughters: Camila, Corinne, and Noelle.

The FilAm: What do you think of Donald Trump and how he’s doing his job so far?

James Solomon: Donald Trump has been an absolute disaster for Jersey City and our country. Trump ran on a platform on lowering costs, and clearly, it was all a lie. The cost of living has only skyrocketed with every day he’s been in office, and more people think they’re worse off today than they were a year ago. We need change, now.

TF: Are you confident of receiving 50% of the vote? Are you confident of the support of the Filipino community?

JS: Jersey City holds nonpartisan elections for mayor in November; the top-two vote getters then compete in a runoff election in December. We expect to secure a spot in the runoff and win in December.

I am proud of my long-time commitment to the Filipino community. Me and my family are parishioners of St. Mary’s Church and am honored to have my family and I participate in the Flores De Mayo/ Santacruzan hosted by Catholic Action of Mary. I have also carried long-time partnerships with PACCAL and the Knights of Rizal. Furthermore, I was one of the honorary grand marshals in this year’s PAFCOM Parade that celebrates the long-standing relationship between the U.S. and the Philippines.

I’m additionally so proud to have served in the Council with Rolando Lavarro – the city’s first Filipino American City Councilmember and first Asian American City Council President — and that he agreed to run again as Council At-Large with my slate. Rolando has been a champion for affordability and an accountable government.

TF: What is your vision for Jersey City?

JS: I want a Jersey City that’s affordable, with real affordable housing and units that rent at less than $2,000, $1,500, and $1,000 a month.  Jersey City government under a Solomon administration and Council cares about its residents, doesn’t balance lopsided budgets on the backs of working families while allowing developers to get millions of dollars in tax breaks at our expense. I want clean, safe streets and city services — from trash pickup to 911 — that’s actually responsive. And I am committed to a diverse and inclusive city that respects the dignity of our working families. I’m running to be that mayor. 

TF: What have been the Filipinos’ contributions to the growth and progress of JC?

JS: It’s been reported that Filipino healthcare workers in particular worked so hard to care for others during the COVID-19 pandemic that they recorded higher rates of getting sick.  When I think of the community’s contributions to Jersey City, that’s one of the first things I think of: the love, care, and dedication Filipinos have to our community and each other. 

For decades, the very best of the Philippines — nurses, doctors, first responders, educators, and more — have made a home in the United States. Many immigrated as World War II veterans who fought for the U.S. against Japan; many more have since immigrated here for professional or academic opportunities, or to build new lives for their families. 

The Filipino community’s contributions to Jersey City are still tangible today. Filipino institutions like Jersey City’s PAFCOM and PACCAL continue to serve working class people all over the city. They offer not only culturally relevant activities, but also free health and wellness programs.

Filipino small businesses are part of Jersey City’s economic engine, from well-established businesses like Philippine Bread House and many small eateries along West Side Avenue, like Victory Chicken or Apollo. Their grit, determination, and success have paved the way to even attracting international brands like Jollibee to invest in Jersey City. Now, a new generation of Filipino Americans in Jersey City are starting businesses and making their mark here — from the coworking space Narra Collective, to Jersey City’s first pudding scoop shop Baonanas, and the wildly successful new local bakery, Panaderiya Salvaje.

Jersey City will continue to welcome, support, and grow with the Filipino community.

TF: Affordable housing is a big issue. Renters are being marginalized by luxury apartments. How do you plan to fix that?

JS: For too long, Jersey City has let developers call the shots. As mayor, I’ll require every new project to include at least 20% affordable units—renting below $1,500 and even $1,000 a month—so families can actually live here while easing market rents. Rolando Lavarro has also championed 20% affordable units for new projects during his term as Council At-Large.

TF: Crime, gentrification, traffic and flooding are other issues. What will be your priority concern?

JS: Affordability will be the number one priority of my administration, and the outrageous cost of property taxes in Jersey City is a huge reason why we’re in an affordability crisis to begin with. That’s why I’ve released the most thorough plan to bring down costs for working people in Jersey City. It’s unacceptable that our residents have been stuck with 40% increases in their property tax bills, with no improvement in basic city services. My administration will stabilize property taxes for every homeowner in the city, and we will never balance the city budget on the backs of working people while corporations and developers don’t even pay what they owe.

TF: Jersey City  is such a diverse community with some residents probably undocumented. Will you allow ICE to enter your city?

JS: Absolutely not. ICE has no place in Jersey City and I will use the full power of my office to ensure we remain a sanctuary city. That means that, as long as I’m mayor, JCPD will not collaborate with ICE on anything, including sharing sensitive data. City officials and employees will also be trained on our sanctuary city law to ensure full compliance.