Nation's first openly gay governor looking to re-enter politics after nearly 20 years

Former New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey announced that he will seek the mayor’s office in Jersey City in 2025.

The nation’s first openly gay governor is looking to re-enter politics nearly 20 years after he left.

Former New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey announced Thursday that he will seek the mayor’s office in Jersey City in 2025. He made the announcement in a video posted online and planned to formally launch his campaign with a news conference later in the day.

McGreevey, a Democrat, is a former Woodbridge Township mayor who was elected governor in 2002. He announced in August 2004 that he was “a gay American” and acknowledged having an extramarital affair with a male staffer. He resigned that year.

“I was imperfect and I’ll always be imperfect,” McGreevey, 66, said at the start of the video, which shows him watching a portion of his resignation announcement. “It’s important to take responsibility and do the next right thing.”