Rintel Announces He'll Oppose Councilwoman Giattino In Hoboken Race

HOBOKEN, NJ — Another day, another announcement in Hoboken from a candidate who wants a ward seat on the nine-member Hoboken City Council.

The non-partisan elections for six ward seats will be held Nov. 7.

Tuesday, Ian Rintel — a local business owner who had run in 2021 for an at-large seat — announced that he's jumping into the fray.

The 6th Ward covers the center of town.

He'll be facing incumbent Councilwoman Jennifer Giattino. He and Giattino have both been critical of the administration of Mayor Ravi Bhalla at times, and also have supported some of his initiatives.

Rintel said, "In my 25 years in Hoboken, progress has been painfully slow or stopped. I have watched petty squabbles and personal vendettas within our city government result in a frequent refusal to work together. This is a luxury a business owner cannot afford. Working with people I don’t get along with is practically my specialty!"

You can read Rintel's announcement below.

Got a letter about the race? Here's how to post it yourself on Hoboken Patch.

Find out who's running in the other wards here.

Ian Rintel's Announcement

Today, I announce my candidacy for Sixth Ward City Council. I have lived in Hoboken since 1998 and I have had a business in Hoboken since 2002. Hoboken is an amazing place to live and an amazing place to run a business. I am running for City Council, because I care about Hoboken and have the skills and motivation to make a positive difference as a city councilperson.

I have a track record of getting difficult things done in Hoboken. These skills will be an asset to the Sixth Ward and the entire city of Hoboken. In my 25 years in Hoboken, progress has been painfully slow or stopped. I have watched petty squabbles and personal vendettas within our city government result in a frequent refusal to work together. This is a luxury a business owner cannot afford. Working with people I don’t get along with is practically my specialty!

My loyalty will not be to any party or any other elected official. I will work solely in the interest of the constituents of the Sixth Ward and Hoboken. I will work together with “Team Bhalla” as hard as I can for the benefit of Hoboken and oppose “Team Bhalla” in anything detrimental to the city. Campaigns are expensive. Candidates often take large donations resulting in the potential for quid pro quo between elected officials and their donors. To emphasize my commitment to my constituents, I have a self-imposed contribution limit far less than the legal limit and my suggested donation is only $18, an amount anyone can afford. As this is only a simple ward election: I encourage any opponents to do the same.

As you may know, this will be my second attempt at winning a seat on the City Council. While I hear the third time’s a charm, I’m hopeful I learned enough from my first attempt to have a different result this election. This time I am starting much earlier. That means a lot more coffee and pastries as I meet constituents. If I knock on your door a few times, remember: with all the pastries I’ll be eating I need to be out there canvassing to avoid gaining weight.

I would love to meet you and hear what issues are important to you. My website, www.ianforhoboken.com, will be updated throughout the campaign with my platform and thoughts on important Hoboken issues.,. I’m also available on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube. I will ask fellow candidate Paul Presinzano if he can help me with Twitter.