What's controversial about a Governor Fulop?

Submitted by The_Idealist_Realist t3_120ztq0 in jerseycity

LINK: https://therealdeal.com/magazine/national-march-2023/new-york-new-york/

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Steve Fulop has overseen the renaissance of Jersey City since 2013 and continues to tease a run for Governor in 2025. Not without controversy, his policies have led to a massive reinvestment into our communities and he's smartly worked with developers to build thousands of units of new housing around the PATH as NYC rents continue to skyrocket. Newark Boulevard has become a vibrant center for social and economic commerce while violent crime has dramatically dropped. Whether you agree with him or not, it's pretty easy to see he's an effective leader capable of dealmaking and accomplishing what he's set out to do. He certainly had some blind spots, but I take a lot of pride in Jersey City's progress and I hope I can extend a vote for Fulop statewide in the years ahead.

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skunkachunks t1_jdjt2z6 wrote

Yea not going to lie. Housing and infrastructure are issues that NJ can win BIG on. Those are his big strengths and he has a proven track record there. Sure, he’s not perfect. But given the NJ political scene, I may have resigned myself to politicians that have their vices.

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pixel_of_moral_decay t1_jdkqvqu wrote

He oversaw the biggest rent hikes in city history by coordinating closely with developers who donated to his campaign?

Same statement, just put emphasis on different things.

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jrojas1988 t1_jdkls0b wrote

All he did in jersey city was get ridiculously expensive apartment buildings built that the residents of jersey city cannot afford let’s be honest

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Ainsel72l t1_jdl0o4o wrote

You lost all credibility with "Newark Boulevard."

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Goodbye_Sky_Harbor t1_jdn10s4 wrote

Yea what was that? I will accept many names for the walkway but no one has ever used that one

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DirectorBeneficial48 t1_jdjvr9w wrote

> worked with developers to build thousands of units of new housing around the PATH as NYC rents continue to skyrocket.

Dunno if you've paid any attention, but Jersey City rents in those buildings aren't any lower than they are in Manhattan.

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mad_dog_94 t1_jdk39gs wrote

I've met people that moved from here to hells kitchen because it's cheaper, which is wild to me but I'm not as surprised as I thought I would be

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jersey-city-park t1_jdk7piu wrote

They are for comparable units. A new “luxury” 1 bedroom with amenities in JC is going for $3500+, the same unit with amenities in NYC is $4500+

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[deleted] t1_jdne8m8 wrote

[deleted]

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jersey-city-park t1_jdniwn2 wrote

Dont think you understand the concept of luxury apartments then. No ones moving from nyc to live in a 100 year old walk up, they can get that in brooklyn

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No-Practice-8038 t1_jdm59hd wrote

But did he build affordable housing? Did he keep the developers honest when they promised jobs for locals? Or when they made promises to the community in exchange to build?

Do an audit of developers and you will see lies, broken promises and the fleecing of JC taxpayers especially the poor and middle class.

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No-Independence194 t1_jdmc2vh wrote

I don’t agree with the rate of development in Jersey City, as the infrastructure needs have not kept pace, I.e. getting a bus from the Heights to the City. However, there is a housing crisis in America and we need more housing, not less; density is good. The cost of these apartments are not Steve Fulop’s fault. I like the guy, and I think he’s been a decent leader. But I would be shocked if a Hudson County mayor were elected to Governor - the rest of NJ is not as progressive as we think. We are lucky to have Murphy, who is extremely progressive on social issues, but kind of shitty when it comes to governing cities (see: LSP and Union Dry Dock in Hoboken).

Also, taxes. Literally all his Republican opponent needs to do is say, Look at the taxes in JC. And boom - we’re back under the rule of some shitty Chris Christie wannabe. I’m not sure Fulop is the right candidate but I hope I’m wrong!

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STMIHA t1_jdl32ku wrote

He’s not the mayor he was a few years ago. Anyone who comes up through the ranks here and gets a taste for more ends up leaving the people behind. He’s no different.

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No-Practice-8038 t1_jdm4jdd wrote

Wait wait wait….something about power….corrupts…being…seduced by Wall Street and developers…..say it ain’t so!

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No-Independence194 t1_jdmcci8 wrote

I agree that not everyone can remain as idealistic as when they were elected. But he has admirably brought opponents into his fold. Coalition building is a strength of his.

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STMIHA t1_jdmj2ib wrote

I’m all for coalitions but I’m also tired of the Hudson county machine. It’s just frustrating to see how a lot of quality candidates get stonewalled by the old guard unless you kiss the ring.

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No-Independence194 t1_jdmjrlf wrote

Agree that the machine is garbage. Until we focus the same level of scrutiny on our County government, we will be stuck with anointing instead of electing. Abolish the line.

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STMIHA t1_jdmk6yh wrote

Well said. Interested to see how things move after his tenure. Also need to work on getting the local constituency involved more. It’s sad how low of a turnout we see.

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driftingwood2018 t1_jdkjv0o wrote

He has zero chance winning a gubernatorial election. Murphy won by the skin of his teeth against Jack Ciattarelli. I know it’s hard to believe but drive not very far out of this city and it gets red quick. A “progressive” mayor from jersey city taking over the entire state? No chance. JC is great but the rest of this state doesn’t think the same

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cauliflowermang t1_jdky4ec wrote

I disagree. I work with a few right leaning individuals and they are all pro Fulop. He's pro business and that's enough to get the vote for a lot of people.

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driftingwood2018 t1_jdmdiqe wrote

You should talk to the people in Monmouth and Ocean county. And then look at the split in Bergen county between Democrat/Republican vote counts in last election. 52% Dem and 47% Rep in Bergen county. Not exactly the strongest Democratic numbers you’d expect.

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cauliflowermang t1_jdmilho wrote

Up until recently, Bergen county was a republican stronghold. And Monmouth/Ocean County almost always goes red. Here we have a candidate that socially is progressive while still fiscally moderate. That may be enough for some to swing over party lines. That's just my opinion though.

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BlueBeagle8 t1_jdm622v wrote

The 2021 political environment (post Biden, pre Dobbs) was very challenging for Democrats. It's also way different than 2025 might look.

If this election happens one year into a second Trump term, for example, then there's zero chance that any Democrat -- Fulop, Sweeney, Gottheimer, Baraka, that weird AOC wannabe who had a meltdown in the comments about white people the other day, anyone -- would lose a statewide election in NJ. It's just too soon to tell.

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jman457 t1_jdnw1mj wrote

I mean Corey booker had a similar path to the senate

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driftingwood2018 t1_jdo11mj wrote

Funny….I remember when Fulop ran against Menendez in 2004 for Congress. Tells you what the guy thinks of himself

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fastAFguy t1_jdk6meh wrote

No thanks. Loved him as Jersey City mayor. But I won’t vote for him for Governor.

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