Here's What Jersey City Council Candidates Had To Say Following Election Night

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Tuesday night's election was clear-cut in most cases in Jersey City, including the race for mayor, which Steven Fulop won in a landslide by 70 percent.

Fulop's ticket mostly swept their council races, except for the Ward F seat, which was won by challenger Frank Educational Gilmore and the Ward E seat which was won by incumbent councilor James Solomon, who did not run on Team Fulop.

Almost all incumbents on Jersey City's City Council were re-elected to their seats except for one At-Large seat and the Ward F seat. In the At-Large race for the three open seats, incumbent Rolando Lavrro Jr. lost his seat to challenger Amy DeGise who ran on Fulop's ticket.

>>READ MORE: Fulop Wins 3rd Term, Gilmore Takes Ward E: Jersey City Election<<

Both candidates took to Facebook to publish statements. Lavarro thanked his supporters and offered congratulations to the winning candidates. His statement reads in part:

"Jersey City, I wish I could have delivered a better outcome for you. I will soldier on continuing to push for a more affordable and equitable Jersey City, and I invite you to continue on this journey with me, to stay on the road less travelled."

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DeGise offered thanks as well, adding that she was looking forward to getting to work. Her statement reads in part:

"I am so unbelievably honored ungrateful to be elected as a Councilwoman at Large and to work along side of some of the most amazing people in this city."

In Ward E, James Solomon celebrated his win by claiming victory for the voters. His statement, published on Facebook, reads in part:

"Tonight, the voters in downtown Jersey City sent an unambiguous, powerful message: the time when developers planned our community, the time when the machines picked elected officials, and the time when our neighborhood was told to just deal with the status quo is over.

The message my community sent is that we need proudly progressive leaders who are independent from real estate developers and the political machine; leaders who are not afraid to fight for what’s right, to put people first and who will speak truth to power."

Challenger Jake Hudnut's concession statement focused in part on the win of Mayor Fulop, whose ticket he ran on, and his work to continue in the local prosecutor's office. His statement was also published on Facebook and reads in part:

"Over the past eight months, I had the opportunity to work with a dedicated group of neighbors and volunteers. Led by my friend and fierce community advocate Stephanie Daniels, we ran an energized, positive campaign fueled by commonsense arguments and a desire to make Downtown Jersey City an even better place. I give my deepest gratitude to everyone who was part of this campaign. Your hard work is among the most precious gifts I have ever received."

Neither Gilmore or Robinson have released statements yet on the Ward F race, but Lewis Spears issued congratulations to Gilmore on winning the ward as an independent candidate.

In Ward A, challenger Kristen Zadroga-Hart issued her concession statement after the race was won by incumbent Denise Ridley. Her statement reads in part:

"The final result wasn’t what we hoped for, but the conversations that were started and the spotlight that has been shone on the needs of the residents of Ward A will hopefully bring about some long overdue improvements. Fully funding our schools, a community center, affordable housing and infrastructure upgrades remain a priority and I will work with Councilwoman Ridley and the city to make those a reality."

In the race for the Height's seat, Yousef Saleh kept his seat, thanking voters and highlighting that this was his second election in two years, saying in part:

"Round-the-clock leadership during a pandemic is not for the faint of heart, and your support has been the wind at my back, has humbled me. Know that the duties and people in my charge are far-and-away my utmost commitment - matchless in their importance.

We have so much to do, so many lofty goals before us, that the next 4 years will go by in a blink. I'm energized to roll up my sleeves and ensure the Heights we all know and love, will be healthier, cleaner, more economically vibrant, safer, welcoming, and that we'll be on the other side of this pandemic not just safe and sound -- but thriving."