Think you know the candidates for Ward B? A link to learn more

Terrence T. McDonald has interview snippets from the Ward B city council candidates to help you, the Ward B voter a more informed voter. Never a bad idea to read up as a candidate you never considered touches on an issue important to you in a way you like. Take a few minutes and get your learn on this morning.

Disgraced former mayor Gerry McCann told to go pound sand over petition challenge

Former mayor of Jersey City and convicted felon Gerry McCann had his challenge to Ward B incumbent Chris Gadsen's amount of legal signatures on petitions tossed by City Clerk Robert Byrne. McCann felt Gadsen had not turned in enough valid nominating signatures and while 82 of the 335 were tossed more than enough remained for McCann's whining to be dismissed.

For those of you younger Jersey City Desk readers McCann has a rich and checkered history in Jersey City politics. He was elected mayor in 1981 and 1989 before being forced from office following a conviction on federal fraud and income tax evasion charges. McCann served two years in federal prison for his malfeasance. McCann now works for the city Department of Public Works.

A lot of people owe a lot to McCann, Johnny ain't one of them.

Place your bets, place your bets

As mentioned yesterday, all the city council seats are up for grabs this November and just whom does Johnny think will win in which ward and who exactly will win? Let's take a look:

Ward A: If there is to be some big surprise it may well come from Ward A. Councilman Frank Gajewski told the Jersey Journal said he remains undecided. He'd be getting a late start. He's not the most social media friendly guy, what has he gotten passed? Not that Gajewski won't win if he runs, he'd more than likely be the biggest name in the race in Ward A but warning signs are there if a new hot candidate came forward. A real firecracker. Like most races though, the question before us is who will challenge these incumbents and have a real shot.

Ward B: Councilman Chris Gadsden won in a special election last November after Chico Ramchal was forced to vacate his seat for legal reasons, will face another race this November and has told the JJ he's in. We'd like to see what his new energy will bring. All noobs elected anywhere are most vulnerable in that first re-election run so that one needs watching.

Ward C: Councilman Rich Boggiano, despite signs around the Shop Rite Plaza on Marin, has not yet decided if he's going to run again, seek an at-large seat, or if he may also run for mayor. We'll know when Boggiano tells us. Like Johnny has said before, Boggiano gonna Boggiano.

Ward D: Councilman Michael Yun is tossing around a serious bid to challenge Steve Fulop for Mayor but hasn't made up his mind on the mayoral run yet. We'd expect Yun to run again and win Ward D as he has become quite popular in his stands (with Boggiano) against the otherwise rubber stamp council towards the current administration.

Ward E: Councilwoman Candice Osborne has said she's running again and if you want to waste a lot of time, effort and money, you can challenge her. Lock.

Ward F: It's up for grabs as Diane Coleman stepped down from the job. While council will name a new member, it'll be a quick turnaround with less than a year to defend the seat before November's elections.

The three at-large seats held by Council President Rolando Lavarro, Joyce Watterman and Daniel Rivera have all said they are running again for their seats. Rivera seems safe, Lavarro seems safe but with him you never know. That sheen wears off pretty quick. He leads a protest at Bay St. Towers (dba Trump Towers) but has he followed up or been back? He started to take a stand on spending but that was before Mayor Fulop smartly bagged his run for governor and the job of mayor was never going to be Lavarro's in 2017. Will he continue on his newfound penny-pinching mindset or will he now revert to another yes for Fulop spending? If Joyce Watterman can avoid running her campaign out of her office again, we'd say she's the favorite.

It's happening all over, Ward B's new councilman is not who was expected to win

New Ward B Councilman Chris Gadsden didn't just run against history in that if he won he'd become the first African-American to be elected to represent Jersey City's west side. Gadsen didn't just run against any opponent in incumbent John Hallanan. Gadsen also was running against the entire Hudson County Democratic machine as well as Mayor Steve Fulop who enjoyed his automatic support from Hallanan as well as the guy before him who had to hurry up and leave, court's orders and so forth.

Terrence T. McDonald tells us how the race was won:

Behind the scenes, political operatives are pointing fingers about who is to blame for Hallanan's loss. But most of them agree that Gadsden, with the help of friend Jerry Walker and political operative Joe Cardwell, outworked his competitors.

"He just went out and, the old-fashioned way, knocked on a bunch of doors," one Democrat said.

Welcome to Jersey City's new Ward B councilman, a refreshing choice.