Jersey Metropolis’s Democratic mayor has emerged as a high contender to steer New York Metropolis’s most influential enterprise group, sources inform The Submit.
Jersey Metropolis Mayor Steve Fulop — who beforehand defended Huge Apple mayoral front-runner Zohran Mamdani’s controversial plan to open government-run grocery shops and mentioned “I don’t reside in NYC nor do I wish to” — is in discussions to change into the following CEO of the Partnership for The Metropolis of New York.
And sure, he’d have to maneuver throughout the Hudson River if he will get the job.
He would substitute Kathryn Wylde, who’s retiring after heading the group representing the Huge Apple’s enterprise titans since 2000, sources aware of the deliberations mentioned.
Wylde made greater than $1.5 million in 2023, in accordance tax filings from the nonprofit.
Fulop, 48, ran for New Jersey governor this yr however completed a distant third with simply 16% of the vote in the Democratic main. He labored for Goldman Sachs through the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist assaults after which joined the Marines earlier than getting into politics.
The three-term mayor defended Mamdani’s city-run grocery retailer plan in an announcement on X in June when one other author known as it the “most economically delusional factor I’ve seen in a very long time.”
“I don’t reside in NYC nor do I wish to however one factor to say is that I do know the concept of public grocery shops has change into straightforward fodder for critics, however for those who transfer previous the politics, there’s precedent. This isn’t some radical new thought within the US,” Fulop mentioned.
“The USDA [Department of Agriculture], beneath each Republican and Democratic administrations, has a monitor report of funding publicly supported grocery shops, together with co-ops and nonprofit retail fashions. These applications proceed to supply monetary, technical, and planning assist to assist carry wholesome meals entry to underserved communities and costs down,” Fulop mentioned.
Fulop mentioned Jersey Metropolis — the Backyard State’s second most populous with 300,000 residents — additionally experimented to enhance entry to dietary flood with the “Wholesome Nook Retailer” mannequin. This system supplied help to bodegas and small grocers to supply residents more healthy meals choices.
“We gave it an actual shot. It didn’t work in addition to I had hoped, however I’m nonetheless glad we tried. One main lesson: it’s robust to incentivize retailer house owners to vary long-established financial habits, even when the general public profit is obvious,” he mentioned.
Throughout his marketing campaign for governor, Fulop objected to the MTA and New York imposing a “congestion charge” for Jersey drivers to enter Manhattan, even suggesting that the Backyard State ought to impose its personal reverse or charge to enter the Backyard State and fund its public transit.
Sources mentioned Fulop’s 12-year report as Jersey Metropolis mayor will assist him in selling Huge Apple enterprise. Jersey Metropolis was among the many leaders within the Backyard State in constructing new housing and creating jobs, and holding crime and property taxes in examine.
He additionally championed different liberal workforce points resembling household paid depart and a rise in Jersey’s minimal wage.
The Partnership for NYC represents 300 of the Huge Apple’s largest company, banking and funding, actual property and high-tech corporations “working to advance town’s standing as a worldwide middle of financial alternative, upward mobility, and innovation,” per the web site.
Among the many members is John Catsimatidis’ Pink Apple Group, the mother or father agency of Gristedes’ grocery shops, who objects to city-run grocery shops.
Fulop is a lifelong New Jersey resident, the son of Romanian Jewish immigrants. His mom was the daughter of Holocaust survivors.
Fulop graduated from SUNY Binghamton College in 1999. He joined Goldman Sachs after finding out at Oxford College within the UK.
On the morning of the 9/11 assaults, Fulop was working in decrease Manhattan when he noticed the primary airplane strike the Twin Towers. A number of weeks later, he determined to place his profession at Goldman Sachs on maintain and be part of the Marine Corps.
Fulop’s Reserve Unit deployed to Iraq in January 2003, the place he served as a part of the sixth Engineer Assist Battalion. He accomplished his service to the Marine Corps Reserve with the rank of corporal.
