Healy 2013 Campaign Launch

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(Gallery by Richard J. McCormack/For The Jersey Journal)

Seeking re-election, Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy and his slate of running mates for the City Council officially launched their campaign for the May 14 city election at a downtown Jersey City restaurant this afternoon.

"I know what this job takes, I know how to make this city better. I have been doing it for a long time," said Healy during his opening remarks to the roughly 250 supporters that crowded Michael Anthony's Restaurant at 502 Washington Blvd. near the Newport waterfront.

Healy is running for his third term in office against mayoral hopefuls Ward E City Councilman Steve Fulop and former Seton Hall basketball star Jerry Walker.

Hudson County Freeholder Jeff Dublin opened the hour-long event and introduced Healy to a loud crowd that filled the main dining hall of the Italian restaurant with chants of "Four more years!"

"The city is about hard working people and their families," said Healy, who spoke of raising four children in Jersey City and emphasized the city's achievements. During his tenure he said the city saw a record-low homicide rate, expanded parks and increased numbers of public safety personnel despite a $70 million cut in state aid.

Healy also questioned Fulop's experience and commitment to the city, saying the Downtown councilman is only trying to use Jersey City as a stepping stone toward higher office.

"This young man wants the title of the mayor but not the job of the mayor," said Healy, adding, during his closing remarks to supporters, "Get out to vote so that, as Jeff Dublin said, Jersey City can remain for Jersey City, not some newcomers, some interlopers who don't know the city, don't care about the city, and want to use the city for their own personal ambitions."

Healy was followed by brief remarks from each of his nine running mates: Councilman Peter Brennan, for at-large; Omar Perez, for at-large; Councilwoman Viola Richardson, for at-large; former schools superintendent Charles Epps, for Ward A; Jerry Meyers, for Ward B; Janet Chevres, for Ward C; the Rev. Mario Gonzalez, for Ward D; Dan Levin, for Ward E; and Jermaine Robinson, for Ward F.

"We're here to tell them all that we are winning this election," said Richardson, adding she ran for the last five campaigns on integrity, commitment, and service, "That's what I've done and that's why I've joined Jerramiah Healy's team."

She also accused Fulop of trying to use Jersey City "to get to the next level."

In response, Fulop campaign spokesman Bruno Tedeschi said "The tone of the Healy campaign is clearly desperate. While the Fulop campaign is putting forward solid plans to reduce crime, increase employment and lower taxes, the mayor continues a negative attack campaign of false information to scare voters with lie after lie. It is really pathetic and sad."

Candidates for 2013 Jersey City city election 33 Gallery: Candidates for 2013 Jersey City city election

He added that Fulop has lived in Jersey City for 13-years and would "never leave an elected office early."

"Being mayor of this city he loves and where he's raised his own family is the greatest honor of Mayor Healy's life,” said Joshua Henne, Healy campaign spokesman in response. “Together with his strong, dynamic and diverse council slate, Mayor Healy will fight every day to continue the progress for every resident in every neighborhood."