Why Is A Former U.S. Treasury Official Running For Hoboken Mayor?

HOBOKEN, NJ — Four out of Hoboken's nine City Council members are running to be mayor this year, each having served at least two terms. And then there's Dini Ajmani, with much less local name recognition, but lots of government experience.

Almani, a mother of two adult children, has lived in Hoboken for 10 years. Without the recognition of the four council candidates, she may face an uphill battle for the full-time mayor's job, but she offers a different perspective than the other candidates.

The four candidates from the council are Democrats, with one allied with outgoing Mayor Ravi Bhalla and the others sometimes critical.

So what about Ajmani? The former state assistant treasurer for New Jersey, also a Democrat, had briefly planned to run with Bhalla back in 2021, then left his ticket when she was tapped to work in the federal Treasury Department for the Biden administration.

With the recent change in presidential leadership, Ajmani left Treasury and announced her mayoral bid.

She told Patch that Hoboken mayor is the only political job she's interested in. And she says that if Hoboken continues going the way it has been financially, the town will be in deep trouble.

She said that she has looked through every town budget back to 2009 and sees concerning spending trends.

Last month, her spokesperson said her campaign had raised $200,000 to run against the other candidates: Councilwoman Emily Jabbour, a Bhalla ally; as well as council members Ruben Ramos Jr., Michael Russo, and Tiffanie Fisher.

There's no party primary election for Hoboken mayor. Instead, the candidates may all be on the ballot come November. The filing deadline is in August, and elections are non-partisan.

Patch recently asked Ajmani a series of questions. Here are her answers.

Questions For Dini Ajmani

Why are you running for mayor?

"The skills I have are the skills the city needs today. If any of the other candidates become mayor, taxes will go through the roof and the quality of life will deteriorate. It's like an insular group of people insulting each other over small issues, and missing the big picture. [All year] they say 'yes' to everything, but then no to a tax hike. We need to ask tough questions today."

Why focus on the mayoral spot and not a higher office, such as assemblywoman?

"When I look at my daily life, the elected officials who impact it most are president and mayor. i worry that if the wrong person is chosen, irreversable damage will be done to the city of Hoboken. We will have Newport-like skyscrapers in our town. We will have decisions made that are not right for the residents."

Do you ever anticipate running for higher office than Hoboken mayor?

No. I have worked at the state and federal level. I believe one can have a far bigger impact on our daily lives as a mayor than any other elected official, maybe with the exception of the president.

What do you think are the biggest issues that the next mayor of Hoboken will address?

The next mayor will be challenged with finding money to provide even the most basic services like paved roads, trash collection, and clean streets. The city is on a fiscal path that either leads to enormous increase in taxes or decimates essential services or both.

What brought you to Hoboken, and how long do you plan to stay?

We have lived in Hoboken for close to a decade. It was love at first sight for me and my husband. NJ Transit routed us to Hoboken on a day trains from Penn station were canceled. We loved the waterfront, the shops, restaurants, and the whole atmosphere. We are empty-nesters. This city is our final destination. We plan to spend the rest of our life here with the hope to fill our home with grandkids.

What's an issue in town that candidates don't normally talk about, that you feel all candidates should address this year?

I wish the council would talk about how Hoboken is becoming unaffordable to many who live here today. Our property taxes are rising, and are on a path to go through the roof. The council is eager to approve spending with no consideration of impact on taxes and affordability. Unfortunately, quality of life is declining even when we pay higher taxes.

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