Russo joins Hoboken mayor’s race

Michael Russo, a Third Ward councilman for the last 22 years, today entered the race for mayor of Hoboken, a post his late father held from 1993 to 2001.

“Hoboken is the place I was born and raised: with my friends and family, in our restaurants and parks, and at my church,” Russo said.  “I’ve gotten to know thousands of my neighbors and have had the privilege of serving them on the City Council. The Mile Square City that I know and love is in the faces of our parents and children, in the bustle of our streets, in our nightlife, and on our sports fields. But it’s also in City Hall—and that’s why I’m running to be your next mayor.”

Russo is the third candidate to enter the mayoral race to succeed Ravi Bhalla, who declined to run for a third term and instead is seeking the Democratic nomination for State Assembly in the 32nd district.  He joins two-term Councilwoman Emily Jabbour and Dini Ajmani, a former deputy assistant U.S. Secretary of the Treasury under President Joe Biden and assistant State Treasurer under Gov. Phil Murphy.

In his announcement, Russo cited his record as “an independent, common-sense voice” during the administrations of several mayors and touted his success in constructing new playgrounds and stopping a 16-story building from being constructed on the 800 Monroe Street lot; instead, it will become a new park.

“We need a Mayor that’s willing to work on the big picture while also listening to feedback from residents each and every day—and since my early years in politics, I’ve listened to people who love what I have to say and people who disagree,” he said.  “I’ve hosted countless community meetings and town halls in full rooms where people come to talk about transportation, rent increases, and everything in between. That’s given me the experience necessary to lead Hoboken forward.”

A doctor of physical therapy, Russo will compete in a November non-partisan municipal election.