Powerful Politicos Weigh In On Presinzano Victory In Hoboken Council Runoff Election

Story updated with remarks from Cordova's campaign at 9:45 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023:

HOBOKEN, NJ — Hoboken City Council candidate Paul Presinzano declared victory just before 9 p.m. Tuesday in a hard-fought runoff election to represent the city's south waterfront ward. Unofficial results from the county of Hudson showed that the candidate won 692-529.

He defeated Rafi Cordova, a candidate endorsed by Mayor Ravi Bhalla and all of Bhalla's council allies. Cordova will, however, get to retain his position as chair of the city's rent stabilization board.

Although the race was only for a seat representing one council ward in Hoboken, it may change the balance of the voting on the nine-member Hoboken City Council. The mayor has strong allies in four of the seats, so any of the other five members could be swing votes. READ MORE: Balance Of Power Could Shift After Hoboken Election

Three candidates ran for the 1st Ward council seat in November, and the two top vote-getters entered a runoff. The job pays $35,000 a year.

Incumbent Councilman Michael DeFusco decided not to run again, paving the way for a new voice.

Comments From Presinzano And Others

Tuesday night, Presinzano, who also ran for council in 2021, said:

"I am honored and humbled by the tremendous outpouring of support. The past 740 days have been an amazing journey. While some tried to drag us down, we stuck together & stayed focused on the issues that matter. Together, we will make Hoboken better. Let's get to work!"

Cordova issued this statement: "I want to thank all my supporters during this campaign. While this wasn't the result I wanted, I have been enriched by this experience and thank the hundreds of people that helped me along the way, as well as all the voters that opened their doors and gave me a fair hearing."

Among those congratulating the councilman-elect on Tuesday was 2nd Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher who, like Presinzano, has been critical of Bhalla's administration at times. Fisher won re-election to her seat last month.

And sliding in from Jersey City to add to the congratulations was Rep. Rob Menendez, telling Presinzano, "I look forward to working together for the residents of the 1st Ward of Hoboken." The comment wasn't surprising, considering Menendez just may be facing Bhalla himself in the Democratic primary for 8th District congress next June. (More on that right here.)

Councilman Joe Quintero, a strong supporter of Cordova who had made allegations against Presinzano's campaign, said Tuesday, "Earlier I spoke with Paul and congratulated him on his hard earned victory. I look forward to working with [him] for the betterment of not only the 1st Ward, but all of Hoboken."

Council Runoff Results

Here are the unofficial results as of 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5, as reported by the county of Hudson.

• Paul Presinzano: 692
• Rafi Cordova: 529
• TOTAL: 1,221

6,264 people are listed on the registered voter rolls in the 1st Ward.

For comparison, these were the official results from the three-way race last month:

Write A Letter About Local Politics

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See two recent stories about the race here:

• Accusations And Endorsements In Hoboken Council Race
• Candidates In 1st Ward Race Trade Accusations

See letters written about the election here on Hoboken Patch.

• Read Rafi Cordova's bio and Q&A on Patch.

• Read Paul Presinzano's bio and Q&A on Patch.