Steven Fulop
Encyclopedia
Steven Fulop is the Ward E Councilman in Jersey City, New Jersey
.
When Fulop was sworn into office at 28 years old, he was the youngest member of the city council by more than 17 years and the third youngest in the nearly 200 year existence of the city. However, as noted by the New York Times, the most significant difference between Fulop and every elected official in Jersey City, (and most in Hudson County) is that he won the election with no establishment support, beating an incumbent with the backing of the powerful Senator Robert Menendez
, Mayor Jerramiah Healy
of Jersey City, and the Hudson County Democratic Organization.
Fulop was outspent by more than 2-1 during the campaign but several tactical innovations that were highlighted in the Newark Star Ledger, New York Times, and Jersey Journal helped move the campaign forward despite stiff opposition.
In May 2009, Fulop was re-elected for a second term to represent downtown Jersey City, Ward E. Fulop won with 63% of the vote in his ward.
. His father owned a delicatessen in Newark, New Jersey
, where Fulop often worked, and his mother, the daughter of Holocaust survivors, worked in an immigration services office helping others gain citizenship.
Steven graduated from Binghamton University
in 1999 and in 2006 completed both his Masters in Business Administration at the New York University
Stern School of Business and his Masters in Public Administration at Columbia University
School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). While attending Binghamton University, he spent time abroad studying at Oxford University in England.
Upon graduating from college, Fulop joined Goldman Sachs
, the investment banking firm, first working in Chicago and later in downtown Manhattan as well as in Jersey City. After working in financial services for several years in downtown NY and seeing first hand the effects of 9/11, he decided take put his career at Goldman Sachs on hold and join the United States Marine Corps
.
Shortly after completion of Marine Corps boot camp
, on January 14, 2003 his Reserve Unit was activated and Fulop was deployed to Iraq
, where he served as part of the 6th Engineer Support Battalion
for a period of 6 months. He traveled into Baghdad
in the early weeks of the war. The battalion focused on engineering, logistics, water purification, and fuel. He and his unit were recipients of numerous awards and recognition for service including the Overseas Service Ribbon
, Meritorious Masts, and the Presidential Unit Citation
. His unit was part of the support and infrastructure that allowed the swift movement through Iraq. His unit was written about in numerous periodicals during the war which highlighted the company's movements, their contributions to the war, and the challenges that they encountered. The New Jersey Star Ledger highlighted Fulop on several occasions as a result of his choice to leave the comforts of a financial services job to serve his country. After his service in Iraq, Fulop returned to Goldman Sachs.
In early 2006, Fulop left Goldman Sachs to take an opportunity at a competitor and he also completed his service to the Marine Corps Reserve with a rank of Corporal.
In response to this setback, Steven proposed that Jersey City’s voters have the opportunity to institute new ethics reform measures by voting on two referendums.
The first referendum would prevent elected officials or government employees from collecting more than one taxpayer-financed salary, a practice known as double dipping. By state law, one cannot stop an individual from serving multiple government positions by popular vote, but since state law allows a municipality to hold back a paycheck and benefits if voted on by referendum, it is possible to change the pay structures at the local level to ensure that there is less incentive to collect multiple paychecks and pensions.
The second referendum would make it illegal for any entity that does business with the city, like a developer or contractor, to make a political contribution to a local candidate for a one-year period. This would prohibit those with a specific interest in controlling a singular aspect of local government from bankrolling a local elected official who may have the power to influence that specific interest.
Currently, Steven Fulop is on the Board of Directors for two well known organizations focused on educational related activities. He is a current board member for the Columbia University Alumni Association and he on the board for the Learning Community Charter School which has distinguished itself with superior academic performance for children throughout Jersey City.
Since his election, he has taken the opportunity to use the position to help create awareness for local charities in Hudson County. He has donated his first two year council salary to the York Street Project, a non-profit that helps women and children break the cycle of poverty. Most recently, in 2006, Steven Fulop tied his passion for long distance running with his civic involvement by racing in the New York City Marathon
to raise money for the Hudson Country Child Abuse Prevention Center. Fulop raised $16,000 running his first marathon in 3:44 with an average pace of 8:33 per mile.
Starting in 2010, Steven Fulop has led grassroots and local government efforts to oppose the construction of a gas pipeline through downtown Jersey City.
Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City is the seat of Hudson County, New Jersey, United States.Part of the New York metropolitan area, Jersey City lies between the Hudson River and Upper New York Bay across from Lower Manhattan and the Hackensack River and Newark Bay...
.
City Council Election
In May 2005, Fulop was an upset winner against an incumbent councilman in Jersey City, NJ.When Fulop was sworn into office at 28 years old, he was the youngest member of the city council by more than 17 years and the third youngest in the nearly 200 year existence of the city. However, as noted by the New York Times, the most significant difference between Fulop and every elected official in Jersey City, (and most in Hudson County) is that he won the election with no establishment support, beating an incumbent with the backing of the powerful Senator Robert Menendez
Robert Menendez
Robert "Bob" Menendez is the junior United States Senator from New Jersey and a member of the Democratic Party. In January 2006, he was appointed to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Jon Corzine, who resigned upon being elected Governor of New Jersey. Menendez was elected to his own full...
, Mayor Jerramiah Healy
Jerramiah Healy
Jerramiah T. Healy is the current mayor of Jersey City, New Jersey. He ran for the unexpired term of the late Glenn D. Cunningham and was elected in November 2004. In the special election, he defeated Acting Mayor L. Harvey Smith...
of Jersey City, and the Hudson County Democratic Organization.
Fulop was outspent by more than 2-1 during the campaign but several tactical innovations that were highlighted in the Newark Star Ledger, New York Times, and Jersey Journal helped move the campaign forward despite stiff opposition.
In May 2009, Fulop was re-elected for a second term to represent downtown Jersey City, Ward E. Fulop won with 63% of the vote in his ward.
Political Prospects
Since election to his second Council term, he has been widely expected to run for Mayor in 2013. In 2010 a Fulop-backed slate won all three open seats for the Board of Education. On February 18, 2011, Steve Fulop announced his support for another three candidate slate for the Board of Education election on April 27, 2011.Background
Steven Fulop is a first generation American who grew up in an immigrant family in Edison, New JerseyEdison, New Jersey
Edison Township is a township in Middlesex County, New Jersey. What is now Edison Township was originally incorporated as Raritan Township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 17, 1870, from portions of both Piscataway Township and Woodbridge Township...
. His father owned a delicatessen in Newark, New Jersey
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
, where Fulop often worked, and his mother, the daughter of Holocaust survivors, worked in an immigration services office helping others gain citizenship.
Steven graduated from Binghamton University
Binghamton University
Binghamton University, also formally called State University of New York at Binghamton, , is a public research university in the State of New York. The University is one of the four university centers in the State University of New York system...
in 1999 and in 2006 completed both his Masters in Business Administration at the New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
Stern School of Business and his Masters in Public Administration at Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). While attending Binghamton University, he spent time abroad studying at Oxford University in England.
Upon graduating from college, Fulop joined Goldman Sachs
Goldman Sachs
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is an American multinational bulge bracket investment banking and securities firm that engages in global investment banking, securities, investment management, and other financial services primarily with institutional clients...
, the investment banking firm, first working in Chicago and later in downtown Manhattan as well as in Jersey City. After working in financial services for several years in downtown NY and seeing first hand the effects of 9/11, he decided take put his career at Goldman Sachs on hold and join the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
.
Shortly after completion of Marine Corps boot camp
United States Marine Corps Boot Camp
United States Marine Corps Recruit Training, commonly known as "boot camp", is a program of initial training that each recruit must successfully complete in order to join the United States Marine Corps...
, on January 14, 2003 his Reserve Unit was activated and Fulop was deployed to Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
, where he served as part of the 6th Engineer Support Battalion
6th Engineer Support Battalion
The 6th Engineer Support Battalion , is an engineering battalion of the Marine Forces Reserve. Their headquarters are based in Portland, Oregon and they fall under the command of the 4th Marine Logistics Group.-Current Units:...
for a period of 6 months. He traveled into Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
in the early weeks of the war. The battalion focused on engineering, logistics, water purification, and fuel. He and his unit were recipients of numerous awards and recognition for service including the Overseas Service Ribbon
Overseas Service Ribbon
An Overseas Service Ribbon is a service military award of the United States military which recognizes those service members who have performed military tours of duty outside the borders of the United States of America. There are different versions of the Overseas Service Ribbons for the U.S. Army,...
, Meritorious Masts, and the Presidential Unit Citation
Presidential Unit Citation (US)
The Presidential Unit Citation, originally called the Distinguished Unit Citation, is awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and allies for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy on or after 7 December 1941...
. His unit was part of the support and infrastructure that allowed the swift movement through Iraq. His unit was written about in numerous periodicals during the war which highlighted the company's movements, their contributions to the war, and the challenges that they encountered. The New Jersey Star Ledger highlighted Fulop on several occasions as a result of his choice to leave the comforts of a financial services job to serve his country. After his service in Iraq, Fulop returned to Goldman Sachs.
In early 2006, Fulop left Goldman Sachs to take an opportunity at a competitor and he also completed his service to the Marine Corps Reserve with a rank of Corporal.
Legislation
As a councilman, one of Steven's main interests has been ethics reform measures. In September, 2007, he proposed legislation that would have restricted use of city vehicles and property, banned officials from holding multiple elected or appointed positions in government, instituted business and income transparency requirements for elected officials and barred people from lobbying an entity in which they serve. This legislation was rejected by a 6-1-1 vote.In response to this setback, Steven proposed that Jersey City’s voters have the opportunity to institute new ethics reform measures by voting on two referendums.
The first referendum would prevent elected officials or government employees from collecting more than one taxpayer-financed salary, a practice known as double dipping. By state law, one cannot stop an individual from serving multiple government positions by popular vote, but since state law allows a municipality to hold back a paycheck and benefits if voted on by referendum, it is possible to change the pay structures at the local level to ensure that there is less incentive to collect multiple paychecks and pensions.
The second referendum would make it illegal for any entity that does business with the city, like a developer or contractor, to make a political contribution to a local candidate for a one-year period. This would prohibit those with a specific interest in controlling a singular aspect of local government from bankrolling a local elected official who may have the power to influence that specific interest.
Community Service and Advocacy
Prior to his election on the municipal council, Steven Fulop served in two positions within the community: he is past president of the Downtown Coalition of Neighborhood Associations (DCNA) in Jersey City, and also, he is past president of The Historic Paulus Hook Association.Currently, Steven Fulop is on the Board of Directors for two well known organizations focused on educational related activities. He is a current board member for the Columbia University Alumni Association and he on the board for the Learning Community Charter School which has distinguished itself with superior academic performance for children throughout Jersey City.
Since his election, he has taken the opportunity to use the position to help create awareness for local charities in Hudson County. He has donated his first two year council salary to the York Street Project, a non-profit that helps women and children break the cycle of poverty. Most recently, in 2006, Steven Fulop tied his passion for long distance running with his civic involvement by racing in the New York City Marathon
New York City Marathon
The New York City Marathon is a major annual marathon that courses through the five boroughs of New York City. It is one of the largest marathons in the world, with 45,103 finishers in 2010...
to raise money for the Hudson Country Child Abuse Prevention Center. Fulop raised $16,000 running his first marathon in 3:44 with an average pace of 8:33 per mile.
Starting in 2010, Steven Fulop has led grassroots and local government efforts to oppose the construction of a gas pipeline through downtown Jersey City.