2 Hoboken Mayor Candidates To Face Off In Runoff: See What They Said

HOBOKEN, NJ — After a heated mayoral race in which seven people vied to be the next mayor of Hoboken, the two with the most votes will face off in a runoff Dec. 2.

Councilwoman Emily Jabbour, who received the most votes on Tuesday, will face the runner-up, Councilman Michael Russo.

A runoff occurs when no candidate amasses more than 50 percent of the vote.

(Candidates in Jersey City's mayoral race will face off in a runoff the same day; read more here.)

Vote Totals

The vote counts in the race, as of Wednesday at 2 p.m., were: Jabbour, 5,122; Russo, 4,644, Tiffanie Fisher, 3,633; Ruben Ramos Jr., 2,851; Dini Ajmani, 2,480, and Patricia Waiters, 172. There were 113 write-in votes. Some mail-in votes are still being received, but Fisher has already conceded the race.

"As we move toward the December 2 runoff, I’m energized and ready to continue the conversation with residents across every neighborhood and earn even more votes than we did today," said Jabbour in a message just before midnight Tuesday.

Russo's team said in a statement Wednesday, "Thanks to the people of Hoboken, Team Russo was able to send a resounding message that affordability and quality of life are core priorities that cannot be ignored...I look forward to a bold, positive campaign based on the needs of our neighbors. Hoboken deserves a mayor who doesn’t just listen to them, but acts."

Both Jabbour and Russo have served more than one term on the council. Jabbour is an at-large councilwoman, serving the entire city. Russo represents the 3rd Ward on the west side of town.

Russo's father, Anthony Russo, served as 3rd Ward Councilman in 1991 before being elected to two terms as mayor.

The candidates are likely to seek the endorsements of the other candidates in the race, particularly the two council members.

Patch posted profiles and Q&A with Jabbour and Russo last month. What do they think about rent control? Whom did they support for president? And...what do they put on their pizza? Read their responses here:

• Emily Jabbour
• Michael Russo

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The elections are non-partisan, although both candidates are Democrats.

Hoboken's salary ordinance states that the next mayor will be paid $130,000 and the Hoboken City Council members are paid $35,000. The council president and vice presidentstart at $40,000 and $37,500, plus benefits.

PRIOR REPORTING: More Candidates Join Hoboken Mayor's Race

More Voting Details

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