Hoboken Councilman Russo Makes Endorsements In Hoboken Mayor/Council Election

HOBOKEN, NJ — Ten candidates are running to fill three seats on the Hoboken City Council on Nov. 2, while Mayor Ravi Bhalla is running for re-election unopposed.

On Sunday, 3rd Ward Councilman Michael Russo — who is not up for re-election until 2023 —announced he will endorse Bhalla as well as his slate of three council candidates, which includes two incumbents and a newcomer.

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Russo wrote, "I'm glad to lend my full support to Mayor Ravi Bhalla and his Council team: Jim Doyle, Joe Quintero, and Emily Jabbour ... The pandemic has tested Hoboken residents in ways that we've never experienced in our lifetime. But throughout it all – Mayor Bhalla, along with his team in Emily and Jim, worked around the clock to ensure that Hoboken shut down to stem the spread of the virus – a decision that led the rest of the country into taking the pandemic seriously."

"I can say without question that if it were not for our collective efforts on vaccines, testing, meals for seniors, and more — Hoboken would have seen more lives lost," he added.

Hoboken has lost 56 residents to the virus. Of adults 18 and over, 81 percent have gotten at least the first vaccine shot. Ninety percent of ages 30 and over have gotten a dose.

Russo added, "I've worked hand-in-hand with the Mayor and his team on everything from expanding the HOP bus service, acquiring additional open space at 800 Monroe for an additional park in the third ward, moving forward on the Northwest Resiliency Park to become New Jersey's largest resiliency park, and much, much more. What I appreciate about them is that they act with the best interests of Hoboken residents, even if it isn't a popular decision."

He said that Quintero is a 3rd Ward resident and "is committed to working with everyone on the City Council, leaving the politics behind."

Other endorsements

• Councilman Phil Cohen, who frequently votes with the mayor's team, also supported Team Bhalla.
• Council Vice President Jen Giattino and Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher endorsed the "Independently Together" slate of candidates: Cheryl Fallick, Sheila Brennan, and Paul Presinzano.

The Mayor's Opposition

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

Patch has asked all 10 candidates to fill out questionnaires on how they'd address certain issues, whether they were willing to say whom they voted for (for president) in 2020, and more. Read the candidate profiles and prior election coverage below and watch for more in the next week.

• Candidate Cheryl Fallick's Answers To Our Questions
• Council Candidate Ian Rintel's Answers To Our Questions
  
• Council Candidate Cindy Wiegand's Answers To Our Questions
• Whom Did Hoboken Council Candidates Support For President In 2020?
• Hoboken Election: Jim Doyle Replaces Dini Ajmani On Mayor's Slate
  
• Citing 'Toxic' Hoboken Politics, Councilman Won't Run For Mayor
• I'm Running For Re-Election, Announces Mayor

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