JERSEY CITY, NJ (January 12, 2026) – Mayor-elect James Solomon today announced the appointment of Keshav Poddar as Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development. Poddar, who has served as Executive Director of the Solomon Transition, will coordinate the administration’s efforts to make Jersey City more affordable and ensure that economic development benefits our residents, not the developers and political insiders.

“I promised Jersey City a government that puts residents first, and Keshav is exactly the person to help deliver on that promise,” said Mayor-elect Solomon. “He has spent his career building affordable housing and fighting for working families – in courtrooms, in state government, and at the highest levels of federal policymaking. When developers come to the table, we need someone who knows the deals inside and out and will make sure all of Jersey City benefits. Keshav is that person.”

Poddar is an attorney specializing in community economic development and affordable housing construction throughout New Jersey. He has held positions across state and federal government, most recently serving as an advisor on economic policy in the Biden-Harris Administration, including as an official at the National Security Council and on the staff of Vice President Kamala Harris. He also served as Economic Policy Manager for the Harris for President campaign.

Prior to his federal service, Poddar was Counsel to former New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, where he worked on the state’s COVID-19 response and issues including consumer protection, criminal justice reform, and opioids enforcement. He is a graduate of Yale Law School and holds a B.A. in Government from Dartmouth College. A New Jersey native, he lives in Jersey City.

“Too many families in Jersey City are one rent increase away from being pushed out of the city they love,” said Keshav Poddar. “I will fight every day to build housing that working people can actually afford and creating economic opportunity in communities that have been left behind. I’m honored to bring that work to Jersey City and to serve an administration that believes government should work for everyone.”

As Deputy Mayor, Poddar will oversee the coordination of housing and economic development policy across city agencies, including negotiating the construction of affordable housing, workforce housing, and other community benefits. He will also lead efforts to attract businesses and create jobs—particularly in underserved neighborhoods—while ensuring that new development includes genuinely affordable housing with rents working families can pay.

About Mayor-elect Solomon

James Solomon was elected Mayor of Jersey City on December 2 with a mandate to pursue an aggressive agenda focused on affordability, modernizing city services and operations, and delivering a competent and effective government. Mayor-elect Solomon previously served as a two-term councilman, where he built a reputation for standing against corruption and fighting for housing affordability and a more responsive City government. Mayor-elect Solomon will take office on January 15.

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