Jersey City Election 2021: Tom Zuppa Candidate Profile

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.

Tom Zuppa is running for the Ward C council seat. Zuppa is running under the slogan "A New Day For Ward C."

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 Zuppa's profile:

Age (as of Election Day)

34

Party Affiliation

Democrat seeking election in non-partisan race

Family

Andrea, Fiancee 29
Kennedy, Puppy, 18 months

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Fordham University, Bachelor of Arts Political Science, 2005, summa cum laude
Seton Hall University School of Law, Juris Doctor, 2009, cum laude

Occupation

Lawyer for 9 years including four years as a Hudson County assistant prosecutor and 5 years as civil litigator

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

N/A

Campaign website

votezuppa.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am running to bring positive change to Ward C, which has been left behind on quality of life issues and the allocation of City resources. I am fighting for cleaner and safer streets, a commitment to affordability, ending chronic homelessness, increasing recreation opportunities for our residents, and to better maintain and create open, green space.

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

Our quality of life. I intend to advocate for an increase in City attention and services to clean our streets, pave our roads, and repair our sidewalks. We need to get serious about ending chronic homelessness by pushing for a regional response at the state, federal, county, and local levels to find permanent, affordable housing, allocate mental health and addiction services, and create a jobs training program to get our residents back to work.

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

I get things done. I have done it my entire career. I identify issues, bring people together to come up with solutions, and take action. I am also the only candidate running independently from a slate or association with other council or mayoral candidates. Ward C's residents need a fighter who will focus on Ward C issues.

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

I have the utmost respect for Councilman Boggiano for his service to the public. However, nothing has been done about issues we have had the past 8 years and things are worse now than they were before he was elected. Residents feel left behind or left out of the discussion. Councilman Boggiano has also lost his independent voice, which our residents deserve to have.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I will be a leader on the discussion of a public transit infrastructure plan with representatives from PATH and NJ Transit, to account for the anticipated influx of thousands of residents with the new development planned for Journal Square and Ward C. On Safety, having served our community as a prosecutor, I am committed to bringing robust community policing with an increased focus on mental health and de-escalation training. I am also running to support local businesses by designing a long-term economic plan that helps businesses open today and encourages new businesses to open in our Ward. On Accountability, I will hold regular community meetings and send weekly updates to our residents who should not be left in the dark or not have information brought directly to them on what is happening in our City.

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

I am already doing the work that I will continue as Councilperson. In March 2020, I began the Block by Block Community Initiative to address quality of life concerns by bringing neighbors together and taking action by organizing neighborhood clean-ups and bring your own shovel events to clear sidewalks and intersections of snow and ice during the Winter. I am President of the Friends of the Five Corners Library, which advocates for the Library's busiest and most diverse branch. As a former prosecutor and current civil litigator, I have handled high level cases and am able to analyze facts and data to make the best decision for my neighbors, community, and Jersey City.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Always make time for my family, and always be willing to listen first before speaking.

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

I am a fourth-generation Jersey City resident and the son, grandson, and great-grandson of Jersey City educators, business owners, and community leaders. I am honored to give back to the same community that embraced my family over 100 years ago. I am here now, will be here tomorrow, and will fight for our residents every day as their Councilperson.