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Councilperson At-Large Rolando R. Lavarro, Jr.
Term of Office:
First Elected To Council: Dec. 2, 2025
Current Term Expires: January 14, 2030
(201) 547-5134
[email protected]
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Biography
Rolando Lavarro became Jersey City’s first Asian and Filipino American council member when he was first elected in 2011. Lavarro served as City Council President from 2013 to 2019 and as a Council At-Large member until the end of 2021, before returning to the city council in 2025.
Lavarro is fighting to make Jersey City affordable. He shepherded the expansion of earned sick days legislation; sponsored ordinances providing living wages and wage theft protection to workers; and introduced an inclusionary zoning ordinance requiring new residential developments to include affordable homes.
Lavarro is a demand for transparency and accountability. He called for the repeal of the "Garbage Tax" imposed by the MUA; demanded a Payroll Tax audit; and pushed for an investigation into financial corruption within a city agency.
Lavarro is an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. He fought to end Hudson County’s ICE detention contract; New Jersey’s first local Immigrant Affairs Commission; and successfully advocated for financial aid eligibility for college-eligible DREAMers as well as the inclusion of Asian American history in New Jersey’s school curriculum.
Rolando Lavarro is a lifelong Jersey City resident, residing in the Greenville/West Side area with his wife and daughter.