Powered by Grassroots Support, Councilman At-Large Rolando Lavarro is Certified
for Re-election with more than 2,500 Petitions delivered within a Week of
Declaring His Candidacy

Jersey City, NJ – Within just over a week of declaring to seek his re-election, the City Clerk’s office certified that Councilman At-Large Rolando Lavarro has turned in more than the requisite number of valid petitions, delivering more than 2,500 valid petitions on the filing deadline to make him eligible to run in the November elections.

“First, let me say a big Thank You to everyone who went out and got signatures for my petition. What we accomplished… what you accomplished was nothing short of a Herculean effort. There are too many people to thank by name, but please know that I am most grateful,” said Lavarro to his diverse supporters from all corners of Jersey City.

“Second, thank you to everyone who signed my petition. I’m truly humbled by your support and confidence in me to continue as your Council-At-Large. I also know that there are those who signed my petition and are undecided as to who they will support this November. Thank you for signing my petition. I want to hear your concerns and earn your vote.”

Lavarro’s nomination was a pure display of grassroots support, who have called upon him to run for re-election to be a voice fighting for all of Jersey City, and to serve as a check-and-balance to the Mayor and his rubberstamp 7-2 City Council.

“Councilman At-Large Rolando Lavarro is brave, intelligent and compassionate. He was on the right side when he called out the new garbage tax in the water bill as a back door tax and fought to rescind it.  He championed to create strong affordable housing laws, despite efforts to unravel his work. Rolando is not motivated by ego, power or material gain, but by justice and compassion. Jersey City needs a fighter that is Council At-Large Rolando Lavarro,” said Meera Jaffrey, Heights resident, educator, and community activist who started and led the petition against the MUA backdoor water tax.

“Rolando Lavarro has been advocating for underrepresented communities, Filipinos and other immigrant communities, black and brown communities, for as long as I can remember before he was in office.  He understands the plight of people like me, a single mother who immigrated to Jersey City almost three decades ago to provide for my three boys. Today, those in power pretend to celebrate Jersey City’s diversity while they push out communities with their agenda of over gentrification and profiteering.  We need Councilman At-Large Rolando Lavarro who fights for all of Jersey City, not just the rich and privileged,” said Helen Castillo Bongon, Greenville resident, Committeewoman, and community organizer.

“I appreciate Councilman Lavarro’s fight for affordable housing. I know it’s something that he’s passionate about and he cares about the community,” said Tiffany McQueary, lifelong Jersey City resident and Greenville neighborhood advocate.

“Rolando Lavarro is bold, intelligent and not afraid to take on tough issues. He will continue to represent all of the people of Jersey City fairly, justly, and equitably. From affordable housing to sustainability, I trust Rolando Lavarro to fight for what is right for Jersey City,” said Heather Sporn, Heights resident, Landscape Architect, and Jersey City Reservoir Preservation Alliance Board Member.

Lavarro is a staunch advocate of affordable housing and of an affordable and inclusive Jersey City.  He introduced a strong affordable housing ordinance backed by statewide housing advocates before the rubber stamp City Council hijacked the process and passed a sham affordable housing law, which was struck down by the courts.

When a whistleblower alleged financial improprieties at Jersey City Employment and Training, Lavarro called for an investigation before the agency head was charged by federal prosecutors in a 26-count indictment of embezzlement.

When the MUA imposed a new, hidden trash collection fee, Lavarro called it what it is – a back door tax – and pushed for transparency and to refund and repeal of the ill-conceived Water Tax.

Lavarro’s legislative achievements include the Expansion of Earned Sick Days, Wage Theft Protection, Common Sense Cannabis Protections, Smoking Prohibition in Public Parks, the first Immigrant Affairs Commission in the State of NJ, No Knock Ordinance, and a Living Wage Ordinance.