Inauguration Ceremony for Mayor James Solomon and City Council – January 18, 2026
Inauguration Ceremony for Mayor James Solomon and City Council – January 18, 2026
On January 18, 2026, Jersey City held its inauguration ceremony at New Jersey City University (NJCU) for Mayor James Solomon and the newly elected city council members. Crystal Makia Asky, incoming Deputy Chief of Staff and chair of the inauguration committee, opened the proceedings, followed by City Clerk Sean Gallagher as master of ceremonies. The event featured the presentation of colors by the Jersey City Police and Fire Honor Guards, the Pledge of Allegiance, a national anthem, and an invocation. All council members and the mayor were sworn into terms commencing January 15, 2026, and ending January 14, 2030.
Swearing-In of Council Members
- Denise Ridley (Ward A) – Council President; first three-term Ward A council person and first African American woman to hold that role. Sworn in by the City Clerk.
- Joel A. Brooks (Ward B) – Sworn in by Hudson County Commissioner Bill O'Day.
- Thomas Zupper (Ward C) – Sworn in by the City Clerk.
- Jake Ephros (Ward D) – Sworn in by friends Carol and Roger Kieran.
- Elena Little (Ward E) – Sworn in by Assemblywoman Katie Brennan.
- Frank E. Gilmore (Ward F) – Returning council member; sworn in by Mayor Ross J. Baraka.
- Michael Oliver Griffin (At-Large) – Sworn in using former Mayor Glenn Cunningham's Bible; administered by Reverend Rufus Struther.
- Rolando R. Lavaro Jr. (At-Large) – Returning council member; sworn in with his mother holding the Bible.
- Matama Singh (At-Large) – First Indian‑descent woman elected to the municipal council; sworn in using the Bhagavad Gita.
Appointment of Chief of Staff
Laura Bustamante was introduced as the new Chief of Staff—the first Latina to hold that position. She previously served as Deputy State Director to Senator Andy Kim, whom she praised as a mentor committed to good government and anti‑corruption.
Remarks by Senator Andy Kim
Senator Kim emphasized that good government requires good people—those who believe in public service, empathy, and humility over ego and power. He expressed excitement about the new generation of leadership in Jersey City and pledged to work with Mayor Solomon on affordability and building a city for future generations.
Inaugural Address by Mayor James Solomon
Mayor Solomon shared a personal story of his cancer diagnosis a decade ago, crediting Jersey City’s community for lifting him up. He vowed to give back by building a government “as good as its people.” Key themes included:
- Putting working families first, not developers: “The era of putting developers first ends today.”
- Ensuring affordability for current residents while welcoming newcomers.
- Transparency and trust: promising an honest budget, noting that the city’s financial situation is worse than previously believed, requiring hard choices.
- Anti‑corruption: His campaign took no developer money, and his first policy platform was an anti‑corruption plan.
- Doing both “big things and basics” to improve quality of life across all neighborhoods.
- Ending with a call for residents to hold his administration accountable.
Key Outcomes
- The new administration officially began: Mayor James Solomon and all nine council members took the oath of office, marking the start of their four‑year terms.
- Mayor Solomon committed to releasing a detailed financial picture soon and pursuing policies that prioritize residents over developers.
- The council and mayor will work together under a pledge of transparency and public trust.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone. My name is Crystal Makia Asky, and it is my honor to serve. It is my honor to serve as Mayor Alex Solomon's incoming Deputy Chief of Staff and to chair this inauguration committee. Today marks an important day for Jersey City, a day where your voices were made heard. Residents who worked for a government that worked for the people. As Mayor elect James Solomon prepares to take the oath of office, we are reminded of a responsibility to serve and our shared responsibility to move Jersey City forward. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the city staff, volunteers, to NJCU staff, and the inauguration committee who made today possible. I would also like to extend my thank yous to all of you for being here to witness this historic transition. At this time, it is my pleasure to welcome our city clerk and master of ceremony, Sean Gallagher. Thank you so much. Not only as City Clerk of Jersey City, but as your master of ceremonies. Tonight, one hundred and eighty-eight years later, after our first mayor Dudley Gregory was elected, we celebrate the inauguration of our fiftietor, James Solomon. As we welcome the newly elected mayor and council members, let us wish them a successful, peaceful, and prosperous four years. Please rise for the presentation of the colors. Join us joining us are the Jersey City Police Honor Guard, the Jersey City Fire Department Honor Guard, the Port Authority of New York, and New Jersey Police Department, Pipe and Drum Band. Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance led by Carter Brady McCord from St. Joseph's School of the Blind and our national anthem performed by Aiden C. McCullen Chloralt at St. Peter's University. Reverend Father Hugman, David Baway from Saint George and Saint Sonuta Coptic Church and Hazeth, and I'm miss I'm sorry for mispronouncing your names. We also like to recognize Pastor Rodriguez. The prayer is in your program, and you are all welcome to pray with us this evening. Creator of all, we gather here today with open hearts, acknowledging the diverse past that have brought us together. We thank you for this shared space for the opportunity to connect and for the gifts of life, community, and purpose. Bless the leader we inaugurate today. May we be mindful of those in need, extending compassion and service to others. Protect us from division and selfishness, and help us to embody the best of our shared humanity. Amen. And now for one of the moments we've been waiting for. And before she takes the oath, I just got a little something to say about our council president. Council President Denise Ridley is the first three-term council person in the great Ward A. And the first African American woman to do so as well. So it's a very special night for her. Repeat after me. I Denise Ridley. Denise Ridley do solemnly swear. Do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution, that I will support the Constitution of the United States. Of the United States. And the Constitution in the Constitution of the State of New Jersey. Of the state of New Jersey. That I will bear true faith. That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same. And to the government established. And to the government established. In the United States. In the United States. And in this state. And in this state. Under the authority. Under the authority.
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