By a vote of 6-2, the Jersey City Council has appointed Yousef Saleh as the new Ward D Councilman, replacing the late Michael Yun who passed away on April 6 from complications of COVID-19.
Saleh, a former Board of Education hopeful, was one of six candidates being considered. He had the support of Council President Joyce Watterman and Mayor Steven Fulop.
Saleh is a lifelong resident of the Jersey City Heights and he will represent the majority of that district on the City Council until a special election is held in November. At that time, voters will choose someone to complete the remaining time on Yun’s unexpired term.
Saleh is 31 years old. He is employed by JP Morgan Chase as a senior compliance officer.
Councilman At Large Rolando Lavarro and Ward E Councilman James Solomon had interviewed each of the six candidates earlier this week and posted the interviews on You Tube for public consumption. The two councilmen on Thursday chose not to support Saleh, saying they had concerns with the Council’s process for selecting Yun’s replacement. They both indicated they would have preferred the Council wait to make its selection on May 6, the legal deadline for naming a new council member.