County Commissioner Bill O’Dea Files Petitions for Re-Election Campaign 

O’Dea Pledges to Continue Serving the People of Hudson County, Fighting for Progressive Values in New Term

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Continuing his demonstrated record of standing up for working people and always delivering for his constituents, County Commissioner Bill O’Dea has filed nominating petitions enabling him to seek a new term this year to represent the residents of District 2 in Jersey City. O’Dea has served as a County Commissioner since he first defeated the political machine and won his seat in 1997, and he will now be seeking a ninth term in office. A lifelong Jersey City resident, Bill O’Dea is a recognized expert in economic development and affordable housing and a dedicated public servant who has consistently stood up for the people of Hudson County.

“At this time when Jersey City and Hudson County are facing tremendous challenges and residents need elected officials who will fight for them, I’m excited to run for re-election and to continue working hard for the people,” said Commissioner O’Dea. “I’ve always been an advocate for transparency, responsible government and progressive values, and in this new political era I believe that the County Commissioners will have a tremendous opportunity to deliver real change on behalf of the people of Hudson County.”

Commissioner O’Dea has led the way throughout his tenure in office on making Hudson County government more transparent and accountable to the people it represents. He was one of the only Commissioners to vocally oppose the county’s contract with ICE as far back as 2018, and is now a leading voice behind the county’s current efforts to stand up for immigrant rights. O’Dea has successfully worked to increase county contracting with local minority and women-owned businesses, always stood strong alongside the men and women of organized labor and has consistently fought to make Hudson County more affordable by refusing to accept salary increases and voting against budgets that raised property taxes.

In the next term starting in January 2027, Commissioner O’Dea plans to push for several major policy initiatives:

• Increasing transparency by moving public meetings to 6:00 p.m., reinstating five minute speaking times for members of the public and reducing red tape to be able to speak
• Recognizing the county and state’s financial challenges due to the ending of federal pandemic funding, acting as a budget watchdog and ensuring that working families never bear the brunt of county budget decisions
• Continuing to lead on immigrant safety programs by standing up to ICE and ensuring that residents know their rights and have legal representation
• Standing with community members, healthcare workers and elected officials to fight against the closure of Christ Hospital and demanding a path forward that maintains an acute care hospital for the people of Jersey City
• Taking bold action to make Hudson County more affordable by demanding that any new housing developed on county property includes at least 30% deeply affordable units and 20% workforce housing for the middle class

Commissioner O’Dea has been endorsed by Jersey City Mayor James Solomon, Hudson County’s full state legislative delegation and the Hudson County Democratic Organization, among many other supporters in the community and advocacy organizations.

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