Claiming momentum heading into next year's Jersey City mayor's race, the allies of downtown Councilman Steve Fulop celebrated the apparent victory of the Fulop-backed Diane Coleman over the Mayor Jerry Healy-supported Michele Massey.

With 90% of districts reporting, according to the Hudson County Clerk's Office, Coleman has 2,992 votes to Massey's 1,595 votes. 

"Huge," said Fulop.

The challenger to Mayor Healy followed up his early assessment with an email to his supporters.

"Every election is obviously challenging but today's result is in every way representative of our most significant team victory both politically and governmentally over the last several years," said the councilman. "Thank you for your support as today's results allow us to reframe the misinformation the mayor has put out toward's next year's election, it further allows us to focus our attention on the next challenge for Jersey City, and most importantly changes the governmental dynamic today on the city council towards moving the city forward with helping to get a tremendous individual on the council in Diane Coleman.

"I know you have been part of this process whether it is financial support, political guidance, or moral support and for that -  myself, Diane,  and our team are thankful. We won nearly every district in what they would say is their base racking up huge margins in many and clearing any margin of absentee ballots.  Today's win for the Jersey City Ward F City Council seat is significant politically because it demonstrates the reach of our team. While Mayor Healy, Senator Cunningham, JC Democratic Chairman/Freeholder Jeff Dublin, Assemblyman Mainor were aligned, openly endorsing, printed on literature, and working for the incumbent in today's special election against us, our team prevailed with only the same grass roots support that we have relied upon for years - block to block to block. It is extra significant politically because it is in the ward of the city that the old-time political infrastructure would have said that our team would have not had a chance. I am proud of our team as this is not only the 6th straight election (3 election sweeps Board of Education, County Committee seats off the line, Congressional Election for Donald Payne) that we have been fortunate to be on the winning end against the Jersey City old time political infrastructure; but it shows that a positive message of residents first can win in every corner of the city."