NEW YORK — Nineteen years after former New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey resigned after coming out as gay, he’s considering a political comeback.
McGreevey tells CBS2 political reporter Marcia Kramer that she is seriously considering a run for mayor of Jersey City.
In the summer of 2004, McGreevey stood by his wife and shocked the New Jersey political establishment with what was then a stunning revelation.
“My truth is that I am a gay American,” he said at the time.
McGreevey came out of the closet and resigned after a lawsuit threatened to expose an extramarital affair with another man.
Now, after earning a divinity degree and devoting himself to good works, including a program that gives prison inmates second chances, McGreevey tells CBS2’s “The Point” he’s considering a second chance at politics, running to the mayor of Jersey City.
“Maybe there’s an opportunity to see this as a final, final act, if you will,” he said.
“So you’re seriously considering it?” Kramer asked.
“Yeah. I mean, Senator Stack is a dear friend of mine and he’s a force of nature, and so I’m very encouraged by that,” McGreevey said.
McGreevey is referring to Hudson’s country power broker Brian Stack, the mayor of Union City and chairman of the state Senate Judiciary Committee, who is pushing him to seek office.
McGreevey’s family is from Jersey City, and he says running for mayor is “almost, you know, coming home and full circle.”
“Are there any issues that you feel need to be addressed that may not have been addressed by the current mayor, Steve Fullop?” Kramer asked.
“I think one is quality of life issues,” McGreevey said.
“What advice would you give your younger self?” Kramer asked.
“Be who you are and accept yourself. Don’t live for fear, live for love,” McGreevey said.
McGreevey says he will make a final decision about running for mayor sometime this fall.
You can watch Kramer’s entire interview with McGreevey on “The Point” this Sunday at 11:30 on CBS2.
Marcia Kramer
