Jersey City Council Candidate Profile: Joel Brooks

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Jersey City's municipal election is set for November 2 and the candidate field is full.

With election season in full swing, 24 candidates filed and made it onto November's ballot. There are nine open spots on the City Council and the race of Mayor.

Joel Brooks is running for election on the Ward B council seat. Brooks is running under the slogan "This is a campaign by and for working families in Jersey City."

Patch sent a candidate profile form to each person who met the filing deadline. We will be posting them individually through the election season. Each one is published in the candidate's own words, but may be shortened for space.

Here is Brooks' profile:

Age (as of Election Day)

38

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Family

Partner - Marisol Cruceta

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Bachelor of Arts, NYU 2006

Occupation

Union organizer and representative -16 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

N/a

Campaign website

https://www.joelbrooksforjerse...

Why are you seeking elective office?

West Side residents deserve an independent council person who will fight for working people, not politically connected donors.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Housing crisis - expand and enforce rent control, support the construction of new truly affordable housing, ensure tax fairness by making new luxury developments pay their fair share to alleviate the tax burden on working class homeowners

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am an organizer first, I will make sure working people have a voice and power in City Hall. I will work with the Board of Ed to fully fund our schools, not against it. I will fight for a Green New Deal for Jersey City so we attain true climate resiliency and energy effeciency.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

No affordable housing has built in Ward B in the last four years. In addition, my opponent did not look under the hood on the water tax and homeowners and small businesses paid the price.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

True public safety includes fighting for a more equitable city budget that reallocates funds to youth and jobs programs; to mental health-based crisis response services; to violence mediation and restorative justice programs; to housing for all. The best way to tackle crime is to give folks jobs, support, and care.

Creating accountability for police who abuse their power, through a strong Civilian Complaint Review Board and an end to qualified immunity. Let’s elevate community voices in the conversation regarding what makes us safe.

Creating transparency in regards to public safety reporting that is accessible to our whole community.

Fighting for construction projects that happen in the City and in Ward B to use union labor.

Fighting for a living wage in Jersey City ($25) - $17 isn’t enough.

Ensuring existing local labor laws are better monitored and enforced.

Having unconditional solidarity for workers organizing in the city.

Investigating and cracking down on health and safety violations in the city.

Refunding our crossing guards who were axed at the start of the pandemic and not supported.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have helped thousands of workers join and build their unions. I have bargained against billion dollar corporations alongside healthcare workers as well as leading and organizing workers from professional and blue collar workplaces. I have helped workers win strikes to ensure safe and dignified jobs.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Early is on time, on time is late.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am Honduran, adopted by an American family. My parents worked for the post office and in retail - from them, I learned the meaning of hard work and stretching a paycheck to take care of family. A West Side for All means the election is just the beginning of our work together. I look forward to earning your vote this year.