JERSEY CITY - Bill O'Dea is in second place, and for now, that's good enough.

O'Dea's mayoral campaign is touting a poll that puts him 12 points behind Jim McGreevey (30 to 18) in the city's November election. James Solomon is in third. Some 27 percent are undecided.

in an upbeat release, the O'Dea campaign said:

"Conducted by nationally recognized pollster Hart Research Group, the poll shows that O’Dea has the most room of any candidate to grow his support as voters learn more about his background as a lifelong Jersey City resident, longtime elected official and nonprofit affordable housing leader. In fact, O’Dea jumps to first place in the survey once voters are told about his record of accomplishments in key areas like helping people in need, voting against tax increases and standing up for Democratic values, without including any negative messaging on other candidates."

The governor's race this year may be grabbing all the political attention, but let's not overlook the race to lead the state's largest city.

A Jersey City race is always interesting in its own right, but the specter of a former governor trying to become a mayor adds a bit of spice.

The poll, in fact, suggests that McGreevey is in the lead "based primarily on higher name recognition due to his massive early campaign spending, and that growing his support beyond this current level will be far more challenging."

Name recognition can be a tricky thing. Not all name recognition is good.

In McGreevey's case, it's no secret that he resigned as governor under a cloud. The poll addressed that, saying:

"The former governor’s biography has a negligible impact on his vote share. He has the highest negatives in the field ...."

It adds that O’Dea is currently unknown by 52 percent "of the initial McGreevey voters."

O'Dea is a lifelong resident who has been in public office for years. It is odd that he would be unknown, but, as we know, many people do not pay attention to politics.

The anticipation of the O'Dea campaign is that as more people get to know him, he will pick up support.

McGreevey, by the way, held two "town hall" meetings this week. His social media page also talks of him taking "walks" around city neighborhoods to meet residents.

The city recently changed its municipal election from May to November. What has not changed, however, is a runoff if no candidate gets more than 50 percent. A runoff election would take place in December, which is not exactly the best time for that sort of thing. So be it.

That makes coming in second truly good enough, at least in Round One.

Said campaign spokesman Phil Swibinski:

“Bill O’Dea has been building a true grassroots campaign for more than a year, and now that hard work is paying off as he is poised to secure a place in the city’s runoff election and ultimately defeat Jim McGreevey."