Does Anyone Want To Run For Mayor Of Hoboken?

HOBOKEN, NJ — So far, only one man has said he will run for mayor of Hoboken in November, despite past election years in which as many as six candidates fielded slates. The deadline to file to run is this Monday at 4 p.m.

Two months ago, Mayor Ravi Bhalla announced his intention to seek re-election. I'm Running For Re-Election, Announces Mayor

But no one else has said they'll seek the seat in the mile-square city. Last week, Hoboken Councilman Michael DeFusco, who ran against Bhalla four years ago and lost by under 500 votes, said he wouldn't run, citing the "toxic" nature of Hoboken politics and the effect it had on his mental health. Citing 'Toxic' Hoboken Politics, Councilman Won't Run For Mayor

Hoboken is run by a full-time mayor and a nine-member City Council. Three council-at-large seats representing the entire town are also up for election Nov. 2. The other six council seats are up in 2023.

Hoboken's municipal elections are non-partisan, meaning the elections aren't Republicans vs. Democrats, but various individuals and slates against each other.

The council field isn't crowded yet either. Last week, when one of Mayor Bhalla's council runningmates dropped out, the mayor filled the spot with current Councilman Jim Doyle — who had previously said he did not want to seek a third term. READ MORE: Hoboken Election: Jim Doyle Replaces Dini Ajmani On Mayor's Slate

Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher, who's sometimes at odds with Bhalla, said in a newsletter over the weekend that she wants to see more candidates need to run in order to allow for more choices and discussion of the issues.

"I was so heartened by the positive response to my last email about running for office," Fisher wrote Saturday. "Nine people…nine…reached out expressing interest in running for City Council, many of whom are trying! And dozens said they wanted to support democracy and having more choices and independent voices on the ballot."

"If you didn’t see the email you can click here (or read below) — it talks about what it means to have choices on Election Day and also what having independent voices (or not) on the City Council means for you," she added.

Candidates running for mayor or council in Hoboken have to acquire signatures from registered Hoboken voters. The petitions can be picked up at the Hoboken city clerk's office and must be returned, complete with valid signatures, by 4 p.m. on Monday.

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