Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer: I Won’t Run For Another Term

HOBOKEN, NJ — Hoboken will soon bid farewell to its first female mayor. During a press conference on Tuesday, Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer announced that she will not seek another term for office in November.

She’s served since 2009, when she became the city’s first female mayor.

Zimmer previously stated that she planned to run for a third term, telling a reporter that “at the end of the day, I totally love the job.”

• See related article: Hoboken Mayor Will Run For 3rd Term, She Says

Moving forward, Zimmer said that she plans to take on a new role working more directly on the issue of climate change. Zimmer told NJ.com that she doesn’t have an agreement with Democratic candidate for governor Phil Murphy about a spot on his ticket in November, or a possible position on his staff.

She lives in southwest Hoboken with her husband and two children.

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On Tuesday, Zimmer said that she is giving her endorsement for mayor to Hoboken City Council member Ravi Bhalla, an attorney with offices in Rochelle Park who has served as council president from 2011-2012, council vice-president from 2010-2011 and 2013-2014, and chairman of the Hoboken Democratic Party from 2010-2011.

• See related article: Hoboken's Mike DeFusco Launches Campaign For Mayor (VIDEO)

Zimmer provided a statement about her decision shortly after Tuesday's press conference:

"I want to share with you the news that I have decided not to seek reelection this November. This has been a very difficult decision, but with a vacuum of leadership on the urgent issue of climate change from the federal government, I have decided it is the right time for me to take on a new role working more directly with the issue of climate change and resiliency - one of the most critical challenges facing our city, state and nation.It has been an honor serving as your mayor and I am extremely proud of all that my team and I have accomplished with your help.

"When I made the decision to run for city council 10 years ago and then for mayor eight years ago, I wasn't looking to start a long career in politics - I wanted to help my community at a time when we were facing major challenges and making important decisions about our future.

"I believe I have accomplished that task. After inheriting a city government in financial distress and under state fiscal supervision, we turned Hoboken around and fixed a broken City Hall. We’ve restored honest and open government, with our city now on the right path. We’ve built new parks and acquired eight acres for more open space, kept municipal tax rates stable, established an AA+ bond rating, saved our bankrupt hospital, made major strides in addressing the longstanding flooding problem with a second flood pump, won a $230 million Rebuild by Design competition, invested in a renovated Washington Street, prioritized the interests of residents ahead of developer profits, and so much more.

"Hoboken is now a model for resiliency and sustainability, and I will always be proud of the role I played in helping to set our great city on the path to a better and stronger future. I am more comfortable making this decision because Councilman Ravi Bhalla is stepping forward to run for mayor, giving me confidence that our city will continue on the positive course that our Reform team has set together."

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Photo: City of Hoboken

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