By Kelsey Maxwell
Right now, most Democrats in politics are focusing on either upcoming local elections or the 2024 Presidential election. But with Governor Phil Murphy ineligible for reelection in 2025, New Jersey Democrats are trying to find a way to keep the state blue. Some, like Jersey City mayor Steven Fulop, are jumping ahead to 2025 and throwing their hat into the gubernatorial race. By announcing his run almost two years in advance, Mayor Fulop is getting precious time to build up his base in Republican-dominated areas like Warren County. He recently attended a Democratic event in Washington, where he delivered a short speech about how he wants to emulate what he has done in Jersey City throughout the state and build a rural voter base.
I had the chance to speak with him one-on-one before he spoke to discuss his policies.
Q: The median household income in our state is just under $40,000 a year, but a family of four with no one employed can receive benefits equivalent to a job paying over $96,000 a year, which is more than the median employed household earns in wages and benefits combined. How will you change this?
A: We have a big affordability issue in New Jersey, which is why I decided to run for governor. As mayor, I increased the minimum wage for workers in Jersey City, which influenced Gov. Murphy to create a plan to raise the minimum wage throughout the state. I want to further increase the minimum wage, which will benefit everyone in the state and hopefully fix some of our affordability issues.
Q: As of August 2021, our prisons are not allowed to have contracts with ICE to detain immigrants, and as of 2018 we are a sanctuary state. Since January 2021, there has been an increase in illegal border crossings, as well as a large number of suspected terrorists apprehended at our borders. If these numbers remain steady or increase, will you consider undoing these policies?
A: Immigrants are the backbone of our nation. There is a big difference between the moral and political answers on this topic, but we need to give help to those who need it based on equity. There are people who are here for the right reasons, and we should help them so that they are able to pursue a better life, and part of that help is an easier path to citizenship at the national level.
Q: New Jersey’s high taxes and housing costs cause our population growth to be stagnant and many to flee the state. What will you do to fix this?
A: We need to reform the way that we do taxes in this state, especially property taxes. You can’t do commercial, property, income, and industrial taxes the same way, so, as governor, I would call a state Constitutional Convention to fix our tax system and help our growth.
Q: DEI is a popular topic in today’s politics. Will you take identity into consideration when making personnel decisions?
A: Representation matters. Jersey City is the most diverse city in the state, and I want people to be able to see themselves in their government. However, it is not the most important aspect in a potential hire. Competency is the most important thing to look for, and that is what we will be basing our hiring on, but we do believe in representation.
Q: We are an agriculture-heavy state. What will you do to help farmers throughout the state?
A: Well, I don’t know much about farming and agriculture; that’s why I’m working with the Warren County Democrats. I want to build my base from the ground up in rural areas because farmers would greatly benefit my campaign. Farmers have been neglected by the Democratic Party, and I want to change that.
Q: I know that you’re Jewish, but do you say Taylor Ham or Pork Roll?
A: You’re right I am Jewish, but I don’t keep kosher. I’m from North Jersey, so I call it Taylor Ham.
Overall, Mayor Fulop seems like a moderate compared to some of the far-left extremists in his party, and could potentially change Warren County from a ruby red county to a dark purple one.