Former U.S. Treasury Official To Run For Hoboken Mayor

HOBOKEN, NJ — Will the U.S. Treasury's loss be Hoboken's gain?

Dini Ajmani, the former deputy assistant secretary of the U.S Treasury, became the second person to officially announce a run to replace Mayor Ravi Bhalla in Hoboken this November. After two terms in office, Bhalla plans to run for Assembly.

Ajmani, who lives in Hoboken with her husband and two daughters, announced her candidacy on Thursday.

Ajmani briefly appeared in Hoboken headlines back in 2021 when Hoboken Councilman Jim Doyle said he didn't want to run for another term, and Ajmani planned to replace him. Then Ajmani, a New Jersey treasury official under Gov. Phil Murphy, got tapped for the D.C. spot and Doyle returned to the ticket.

Two Candidates So Far

The election for mayor of Hoboken — as well as three council-at-large members — will be held Nov. 4.

So far, one of Bhalla's closest allies on the council, Councilman Emily Jabbour, is the only other person to officially announce that she will run for the seat.

Some of Bhalla's past critics on the council, including Ruben Ramos Jr., Tiffanie Fisher, and Michael Russo, have said they may run.

More About Ajmani

A release from Ajmani's campaign said, "Dini brings the competence and skills the city needs today. She has served in public service for over a decade, working for Senator Booker, Governor Murphy, and most recently, as Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Treasury, appointed by President Biden. She also served in the Murphy Administration as New Jersey’s Assistant Treasurer, overseeing many responsibilities, including the pension fund and employee health benefits."

Ajmani's spokesperson was asked when she left Treasury and whether this was part of the recent effort to lay off or offer buyouts to federal employees. "Ajmani was a Biden Appointee and her job ended on January 20," her spokesperson said.

Ajmani was raised in a small town in India. She came to America and earned a Masters in Computer Engineering from the University of Texas, Austin, and an MBA from Stanford University, her spokesperson said.

NJ Transit Delay Brought Her To Hoboken

After finishing school, Ajmani and her husband of 37 years, Sonny, came to Hoboken, "eventually deciding to settle in Hoboken after one fateful evening when their NJ Transit train was cancelled and redirected to Hoboken. It was love at first sight for both of them, and perhaps the best thing to ever come out of an NJ Transit failure."

They raised two daughters while Ajmani worked on the Wall Street trading floor.

“Hoboken is home,” said Ajmani. “This is where my husband and I have lived for close to a decade. Like every Hoboken family, we are so proud of our city and want to ensure it remains strong, protected, and above all, affordable — both now and in the future.”

She added, “As mayor, I will put my experience to work as custodian of residents' hard-earned tax dollars — keeping a tight lid on property taxes and addressing high rents. I will focus on fiscal sustainability so we can continue to provide essential services like paved roads, clean streets, parking, and safe public spaces.”

Ajmani lacks the name recognition of others in the city. Her release notes that she has served on the Planning Board and has been "supporting local institutions that enhance the quality of life in the city."

You can find out more about her here.

This November, Hoboken residents will also be able to vote for up to three council members at large. Hoboken mayor and council elections are non-partisan.

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