A disgraced former Democratic governor attempting a political comeback is cashing in on donations from Big Apple powerbrokers — but it’s not Andrew Cuomo.
Ex-New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey’s bid for Jersey City mayor marks another local former governor trying to make his way back into the political spotlight after resigning amid scandal — and he’s seeking dough from New York City GOP donors and Trump cronies to do it.
The election for Jersey City mayor is supposed to be non-partisan, so McGreevey’s campaign opponent, Jersey City Councilman James Solomon, is blasting McGreevey, a former Democrat, for courting MAGA.
“MAGA mega-donors who have poured millions into Donald Trump are powering Jim McGreevey’s campaign, and it’s time for Jersey City voters to ask a simple question: Why?” Solomon told The Post.
McGreevey told The Post he is courting MAGA Republicans to attract federal dollars to Jersey City if he becomes mayor.
“Over the years, I have developed friendships and working relationships with persons on both sides of the aisle who hopefully respect my work ethic and ability to get things done,” McGreevey said.
“Critical to Jersey City’s future success is the ability to attract federal and state financial support to address infrastructure needs, including sewer and water pipelines, rebuilding our schools, reconstructing our roads, and improving our public transportation system,” he added.
The former New Jersey governor stunned the nation in 2004 by announcing he was resigning from office because he is gay and had an extramarital affair with a man who aides said then tried to blackmail him for $5 million.
In the years since, McGreevey had stayed out of politics but is now angling for a comeback similar to Cuomo, who reentered public life across the Hudson with his current bid for mayor of New York City.
Cuomo resigned as New York’s governor in August 2021 amid a slew of sex-harassment allegations and other controversies. He has denied any wrongdoing in all of them.
McGreevey has taken hundreds of thousands of dollars from more than 200 donors who have backed MAGA Republicans such as Donald Trump and Ted Cruz, according to campaign finance filings.
Donors to McGreevey’s mayoral campaign have also given more than $3.3 million to Trump and Trump-affiliated PACs, according to Federal Election Commission and New Jersey campaign finance databases.
“Jim McGreevey’s Trump donors are basking in Mar-A-Lago while Trump wrecks the economy, sends people without due process to foreign prisons, and attacks working people,” Solomon said. “Jersey City deserves better than a mayor who will sell Jersey City out to Trump extremists to advance his personal quest for power.”
One of McGreevy’s backers is John Catsimatidis, who has given millions of dollars to Republicans for decades. The Empire State grocery-store magnate and talk-show host has consistently backed Trump’s presidential campaigns. Catsimatidis co-chaired a campaign finance event for Trump in 2024.
Metro-area financier Kenneth Pasternak, who was charged with fraud by the federal Securities and Exchange Commission, is another Trump supporter who donated to McGreevey’s mayoral campaign, according to campaign finance filings.
New Jersey state Sen. Douglas Steinhardt also donated to McGreevey’s campaign.
McGreevey is leading his opponents in fundraising for the race. McGreevey has raised $2,176,361 so far and still has $986,381 in his campaign account, according to the New Jersey campaign finance database.
Solomon has raised $838,951and has $613,892 cash on hand, according to the New Jersey campaign finance database.
The position for Jersey City mayor opened up when Mayor Steven Fulop announced in 2021 he would run for governor of New Jersey in 2025 rather than seek a fourth term as mayor.