OPINION
It has been the honor of my life to serve as your Ward D Councilman. I began my service under tragic circumstances, shortly after the late-great Councilman Michael Yun passed away from coronavirus on April 6, 2020. In light of the gravity of the situation facing my residents with a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic, I left my full-time job on Wall Street to serve my constituents full time. I never missed a Council vote or Council meeting, made myself available 24/7, passed many pieces of substantive legislation like Pay Transparency and Right to Counsel, rode in snow plows, cleared downed tree trunks, and had the opportunity to chair every budget hearing — raising the concerns of my constituents and fighting to secure services and capital projects for the residents of Ward D.
I ended up running a grueling race for State Assembly based on my lived experience as Councilman, and the real-life issues and disconnect I saw in Trenton — issues such as domestic violence, transportation, automated traffic enforcement, housing, and affordability. I am proud of the race Assemblywoman Ramirez and I ran, and that the residents came out to support us, as well as those whom simply voted, as democracy is only vibrant and viable as those who participate in it, and those who stand up to be counted.
For now, I am putting politics on pause to run a different race — to the wedding venue with my fiancé! **We will be getting married this October 2025. ** Getting married in the Islamic faith is the equivalent of completing “half your deen,” which means religion. She has been rock, with me through thick and thin, and I am excited to embark on this next journey in my life. I am excited to finally be able to go on vacation and travel.
I thank Mayor Steven Fulop for supporting me as a Palestinian American born and raised in the Heights, and all of my Council colleagues and friends who stood beside me through the incredible journey. I love helping people with every fiber of my being, and representing the only neighborhood I have ever called home has been the greatest privilege of my life.
While the work is not yet done, the ground is fertile for the next Councilperson to continue what we started — whether it was the revamp of Central Avenue, cleaner streets with the ultimate creation of a Palisade Avenue SID, the fight for more affordable housing, the expansion of recreation opportunities, or ensuring our seniors, youth, and multiethnic residents are not forgotten with the creation of the Michael Yun Municipal Services Center at 394 Central Avenue. The Heights is a remarkable community — resilient, diverse, and deeply proud — and I have no doubt that my successor will continue to build on the progress we’ve made together.
Public service is never about one individual. It is about collaboration, community, and the responsibility we share to leave our neighborhoods better than we found them. I will forever be grateful for the trust and confidence you placed in me during some of the most challenging years our city has faced.
As I turn the page to this next chapter, I do so with immense gratitude, humility, and optimism for the future of Ward D and Jersey City.
This is not farewell, but rather a continuation of my lifelong commitment to this city I proudly call home. I am excited to start my family, and I will no doubt help with the transition for my successor.
Thank you for allowing me to serve as your Councilman. It has truly been the honor of my life.
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