Hoboken Councilwoman Endorses Menendez And Kim, While Police Union Blasts Bhalla

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — As council members in Hoboken and Jersey City take sides in the Democratic Primary battle for the 8th District Congress seat, another Hoboken councilperson has made a public endorsement.

Hoboken Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher, a Democrat who's sometimes critical of Mayor Ravi Bhalla — one of the candidates in the race — said Tuesday that she supports Robert Menendez Jr. for re-election to the seat, over Bhalla.

Menendez, Bhalla, and Kyle Jasey of Jersey City are competing for the Democratic nomination in the June 4 primary. The winner of that contest will face off in November against Republicans and potential independents.

The 8th District includes Hoboken, some of Jersey City, most Hudson County towns, Elizabeth, and the East and North Wards of Newark.

Fisher also said she supports Andy Kim for the Democratic nomination to U.S. Senate. Bob Menendez Sr., the father of Rob Menendez Jr., holds the seat, but said he'll run as an independent after being indicted in September.

The Endorsements

Regarding her endorsements, Fisher said, “Endorsing Rob [Menendez Jr.] for re-election is an easy decision for me. Since our first meeting two years ago, I have been consistently impressed by his expertise and relentless advocacy on crucial issues like affordability, healthcare, reproductive freedom, and homelessness. Rob’s unwavering commitment to democratic values, serving constituents, and securing federal resources for our district is commendable. What sets Rob apart is his accessibility and willingness to engage in open dialogue, always seeking ways to help residents of Hoboken.”

About Kim, she said, "I have supported Congressman Kim since he first ran for Congress in 2018 when he beat a two-term congressman in New Jersey’s 3rd District and I am proud to have this support continue as he runs for Senate to represent all of New Jersey. As our democracy comes under assault, Andy’s is a critical voice in America.”

Kim has been fighting the "county line" system of political bosses picking favored candidates for preferential placement on party primary ballots. Fisher said she supports this fight.

Fisher had been the head of Hoboken's Democratic party, until she was ousted by a Bhalla-favored candidate in 2018.

On Monday, Ruben Ramos Jr., a Hoboken council member who is sometimes independent of Mayor Bhalla, also publicly endorsed Menendez. (Four out of Hoboken's nine council members almost always vote for Bhalla's initiatives, and five are sometimes independent).

Later that morning, Councilman-at-Large Joe Quintero, a strong ally of Bhalla, announced his endorsement of Bhalla. He said in a statement, "Having worked closely with Mayor Bhalla over the past few years, I know first-hand what an effective mayor and exceptional leader he is--the kind of public official we need more of in Congress."

Both Bhalla and Menendez Jr. have banked over $1 million for their campaigns.

Police Union Takes Aim At Bhalla

Meanwhile, Tuesday morning, the head of a police union released a list of local law enforcement officials whom he said were "appalled and disappointed by Ravi Bhalla’s solicitation of an endorsement by David Ocampo Grajales - an activist who has again and again called to defund police departments, make our communities less safe and insulted the men and women who protect our families and neighbors on a daily basis."

They said in a release, "It is all the more disturbing that Bhalla courted this endorsement when Hoboken has recently seen several disturbing violent incidents including shootings and carjackings. This should concern all residents of the 8th Congressional District."

Among the names signing onto the release was County Commissioner Anthony Romano, whom Bhalla had hired for $50,000 per year in 2022 to be a part time public safety consultant for Hoboken.

Rob Horowitz, a spokesperson for Bhalla's campaign, was asked for a response, and whether Romano ever spoke with Bhalla about his concerns.

He responded with a statement: "This is a transparently sleazy attack by the same old Hudson County political machine that took its marching orders from Senator Bob Menendez and is now carrying the water for his son Rob Menendez Jr. Ravi Bhalla has made public safety a priority as mayor of Hoboken and has a proven track record as a strong supporter of the Hoboken Police, backing its successful community policing approach and consistently hiring more officers over a six year span. In 2021, Ravi won the endorsement of the Hoboken Superior Officers' Association, demonstrating his strong support from law enforcement, and in nearly every year Ravi has served as mayor, Hoboken has seen reductions in crime."

Read more about the race:

• Bhalla, Menendez File Signatures To Run In June 4 Democratic Primary
• Days After 'Gold Bar Bob' Menendez Barb, Bhalla Asks For 6 Debates
• Chair of Hoboken Democratic Party Resigns From County Machine, With Letter