Hoboken Mayor Running Unopposed 'Unusual' In Recent History

HOBOKEN, NJ — It may be unprecedented for a Hoboken mayor to run unopposed for re-election, but Ravi Bhalla was the only person to file before Monday's deadline to run on Nov. 2. In past elections, as many as six candidates ran to lead the mile-square city.

Hoboken Historical Museum President Bob Foster couldn't say if it had happened before in Hoboken election history, but he noted, "It is very unusual to run unopposed."

In elections in 1993 and 2005, at least five candidates vied for mayor, with the top two vote-getters facing each other in a runoff.

Meanwhile, ten people file Monday to run for three seats on the Hoboken City Council, making for a more crowded field. One group is on a slate with the mayor, another is on an "Independently Together" slate, and the rest are independents.

Rob Horowitz of the Bhalla campaign said Tuesday, "Mayor Bhalla's impressive record of accomplishment, high job approval rating, and sizable campaign war chest deterred prospective candidates from challenging him."

Bhalla had raised at least $200,000 in donations going into the campaign, reports have said.

The job also comes with the prospect of continually delivering tough news amid a pandemic.

Like Foster, Horowitz said he found it "unusual" to see a Hoboken mayor unopposed.

Hoboken is a mile-square city of 53,000 residents, across the river from Midtown Manhattan.

Got a candidate profile or release, or thoughts on the election? Email here.

Ten Council Candidates File, Six On Slates

Bhalla had already announced he was running with a slate of three people for council-at-large seats: Incumbent Councilwoman Emily Jabbour, incumbent Councilman James Doyle, and council newcomer Joe Quintero. READ MORE: Hoboken Election: Jim Doyle Replaces Dini Ajmani On Mayor's Slate

Doyle has already served two terms and did not want a third, but another Bhalla choice recently dropped out. Horowitz was asked if Bhalla had trouble finding candidates, or could have reached out more.

"Jim Doyle's outstanding service on the council and popularity with Hoboken voters always made him our first choice to be on the Team Bhalla slate," Horowitz said. "When Dini bowed out, we went back to Jim and were thrilled that he said yes."

Voters can choose any three candidates for council at large on Nov. 2, along with the mayor.

The other seven candidates who filed on Monday to run, with their slogans:

• Cheryl Fallick, Independently Together
• Sheila Brennan, Independently Together
• Paul Presinzano, Independently Together
• Manuel Rivera, Manny Rivera for Hoboken
• Ian Rintel, TOO MANY POLITICIANS IN POLITICS
• Patricia Waiters, Patricia Waiters for Real Constituent Services
• Cindy Wiegand, Your Friendly Neighborhood Councilwoman

Hoboken is run by a full-time mayor and a nine-member City Council. 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.

Horowitz said Monday that the Team Bhalla candidates had filed a total of 4,342 petition signatures: Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla filed 1,261 signatures; Councilwoman Emily Jabbour filed 1,128 signatures; Joe Quintero filed 1,000 signatures; and Councilman Jim Doyle filed 953.

"We are pleased with the strong support we received from the Hoboken voters that we asked to sign our petition," said Bhalla. "It was a good start to the thousands of one-one-one conversations we will have with residents between now and election day."

Recent Hoboken Patch Coverage

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

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