Jake Ephros

Jake Ephros is an American politician who is the councilman-elect for Ward D of the Jersey City council. He was elected to the Jersey City council in a runoff election on December 2nd, 2025, after placing second place in the general election on November 4, 2025.

Ephros is a member of the North New Jersey chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, which endorsed him during the 2025 election.

Career

Ephros was born in Montclair, New Jersey. Ephros graduated from American University in 2018, later becoming an adjunct professor for Saint Peter’s University and Hudson County Community College.

Ephros was involved in union organizing after graduating, being trained by SEIU 32BJ and campaigning for the right to counsel for tenants in Jersey City. He volunteered for Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign. In 2024, he supported the Uncommitted National Movement's protest against American support for Israel in the Gaza War, accusing the Biden administration as committing [...].

Ephros announced a run for Jersey City council in 2024, on a platform of supporting rent control and universal childcare. In the general election, he placed in second place, behind Catherine Healy, the daughter of former Mayor Jeramiah Healy. He defeated Healy in the runoff by 3,020 votes to 1,915. Ephros was endorsed by mayoral candidate James Solomon, Assemblywoman Katie Brennan, and fellow DSA member Joel Brooks.

Political views

Ephros identifies as a democratic socialist and supports founding an "formal independent political party" separate from the Democratic Party. He is a member of Bread and Roses, a Marxist caucus of the DSA. He is one of four Bread and Roses members to hold electoral office, the others being Jesse Brown, Richie Floyd of St. Petersburg, Florida, and JP Lyninger of Louisville, Kentucky.

Personal life

Ephros is Jewish.