Cunningham, who made history by becoming the city's first African American Mayor in June 2001, became the city's first sitting Mayor to get elected us State Senator.

"This is not a victory for me, but a victory for residents of Bayonne and Jersey City," Cunningham said during a victory rally at the Moose Hall Lodge in the Jersey City. "Now, the people of the 31st district will have a strong voice in Trenton, someone who believes in fighting for them and fighting for what is right."

Cunningham and Chiappone, who is a Councilman in Bayonne, will both go to Trenton while still maintaining their municipal posts.

Mayor Cunningham has repeatedly said he chose to run for Senator because it would help him bring more money and more services to the 31st District, which includes Jersey City.

"As State Senator, I will have the opportunity to fight for Jersey City at the state level and continue working to improve the quality of life for the residents here," Cunningham said. "This is a benefit for all the people of the 31st District."

One of the goals Cunningham said he will pursue as Senator, will be to keep working to maintain the tax level in Jersey City, while improving city services. As Mayor, Cunningham has reduced the quality of life calls to the Police Department while fighting crime holistically, and that is another agenda he'll take to Trenton.

"There are many state programs and grants that can help our Police Department and our emergency personnel that I will seek out in Trenton," Cunningham said "It's this kind of aid that can help the city prosper without putting an added burden on the residents."

Cunningham said he will also work to make sure Jersey City gets much-needed aid in fighting the War on Terror, such as Homeland Security funds.

"The City's Office of Emergency Management is the best in the state, but we are living in a new world that requires new technology," Cunningham said. "These tools must be purchased through state and federal grants, and as Senator I will work to ensure that Jersey City gets what it needs to be safe."

Other concerns the mayor said he would work for in Trenton include Department of Transportation funding for projects in Jersey City and Bayonne, as well as helping local businesses, and those companies and commercial enterprises wishing to locate here, get the resources to succeed.