The Good Government Coalition of New Jersey, an umbrella organization of grassroots groups dedicated to eliminating the county organization line system in primary elections and promoting transparency in state and local government, has endorsed Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop for the Democratic nomination for governor.
The coalition cited Fulop’s commitment to electoral reform, government transparency, and anti-corruption measures as key reasons for their endorsement.
In their endorsement statement, the coalition highlighted Fulop’s support for several reforms aimed at creating fairer elections and more accountable governance.
These include eliminating the county line ballot system, rotating the order of candidates on primary ballots to ensure fairness, and prohibiting the use of slogans to indicate party endorsements.
Fulop also supports making the county clerk position nonpartisan and increasing transparency in the legislative process by requiring bills to be posted at least 72 hours before committee discussions or votes.
Additionally, he advocates for stronger pay-to-play prohibitions, the creation of an independent committee to screen candidates for key state boards, and the elimination of the practice of “Senatorial Courtesy,” which allows state senators to block gubernatorial nominations without explanation.
Fulop also supports public funding for state-level campaigns and the reinstatement of the Office of the Public Advocate, which was eliminated in 2010.
The coalition also noted Fulop’s opposition to recent legislative measures they view as detrimental to transparency and accountability. Fulop was an early critic of the Election Transparency Act (S2866), arguing that it strengthened county party systems, limited the look-back period for violations, and created obstacles to transparency.
He also opposed the OPRA Reform Bill (S2930), criticizing its restrictions on fee-shifting and access to public documents. Fulop’s stance on these issues aligns with the coalition’s mission to reduce the influence of political machines and promote open government.
Steve Fulop, the mayor of Jersey City since 2013, has positioned himself as a reformer challenging New Jersey’s entrenched political machine.
A former Marine who served in Iraq, Fulop holds degrees from Binghamton University, NYU, and Columbia University.
After a career in finance, he entered politics, serving on the Jersey City Council before becoming mayor. Under his leadership, Jersey City has gained national recognition for innovation and effective governance.
Fulop’s campaign for governor emphasizes breaking the power of county party bosses and creating a more equitable political system.
He has been vocal in his criticism of the county line system, which gives local party leaders significant influence over primary elections.
Fulop’s aggressive stance has earned him both support and opposition within the Democratic Party, with some viewing him as a disruptor of the status quo.
His platform includes ethics reforms, such as mandatory ethics training for party chairs and restrictions on fundraising by the governor and legislature during legislative sessions.
Fulop’s candidacy reflects broader changes in New Jersey politics, where traditional party structures are facing increasing scrutiny.
The recent court ruling that temporarily eliminated the county line system for the Democratic primary has further weakened the influence of party bosses. Fulop’s campaign, along with other progressive efforts, signals a potential shift toward a more open and competitive political environment in the state.
As the Democratic primary for governor approaches, Fulop’s endorsement by the Good Government Coalition underscores his commitment to reforming New Jersey’s political system.
Whether his vision for a more transparent and equitable government resonates with voters remains to be seen, but his campaign is already shaping the conversation around the future of democracy in the state.