Former Hoboken 1st Ward Councilman Mike DeFusco is supporting 3rd Ward Councilman Mike Russo for mayor, citing his experiences working with him.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“This is the first truly contested mayoral election since I narrowly lost to Ravi Bhalla in 2017. And the same things I said then are even more true today. The new energy and ideas I pushed for back then were never going to be realized under Ravi—and they weren’t. And nothing will change under Emily Jabbour,” he said in a statement.
“I’ve worked closely with both Emily and Mike. I’ve agreed with them. I’ve debated them. But here’s the truth: for eight years, Emily has been at the very center of political power in Hoboken. She’s had full access to the administration she’s now trying to distance herself from. Reinvention may be convenient in an election year, but it raises real questions about trust.”
DeFusco, who has been recently been outspoken about a super PAC aiding Jabbour, has always been a political foil to Bhalla and Jabbour, so his endorsement is not particularly shocking for the political class.
Nonetheless, he joins his successor, 1st Ward Councilman Paul Presinzano, 2nd Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher, and 4th Ward Councilman Ruben Ramos in backing Russo for mayor, all as HCV first reported.
“And when you look at the political machinery behind her—the same PAC networks, the same donors, the same operatives who backed Mayor Bhalla—you begin to see a pattern,” DeFusco added.
“If the same people, the same money, and the same playbook are powering this campaign, how different will the leadership really be? That’s the choice before Hoboken.”
His remarks came after Bhalla and Jabbour had their first public spat over reinstating Brian Crimmins as fire chief.
DeFusco also said he’s supporting Russo’s city council at-large slate of Liz Urtecho, Nicole Magaña, and Pete Keeling.
“I’m incredibly grateful for Councilman DeFusco’s endorsement, and I’m proud to have him on Team Russo. We’ve sat at contentious tables where he has always stood his ground and respectfully advocated for our position because it was in the residents’ best interest,” noted Russo.
“It’s because of Mike’s relentlessly positive vision that our residents will have a European-style market in Warrington Plaza—and under a Russo administration, we will have Mike at the table to help bring it to life. I look forward to his insights over the years to come.”
The non-partisan runoff elections in Hoboken are on December 2nd.
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Look who picked up the slack and informed DeFusco’s constituents (hint: Emily Jabbour). Yep, DeFusco could care less that First Ward seniors might die from Covid cause he was partying in South America!
In fact, when DeFusco returned from the beaches of Colombia, he AND Mike Russo voted to defund the Office of Constituent Services DURING the Covid-19 pandemic when our residents were sick and dying!
Impressive endorsement! But unless Chris Campos, Carmelo Garcia, Peter Cammarano and John Corea endorse Jabbour might still have a chance to pull off an upset.
Nice attack on Latino and Italian Politicians only…
In Emily’s WhiteBoken, LGBT and Drag shows are just for window dressing
Is racism really what comes to mind when you look at that all star list of felons from Hoboken’s recent past?
I know you’re a troll but at least try to be a little better at it.
“… we will have Mike at the table to help bring it to life.” What else is Russo promising to the others for each endorsement? I wouldn’t mind Russo as Mayor, what I would have a serious problem with is if he promised CC President to Fisher. That would be the worst thing that could happen to this City.
This clown really is desperate for attention, his hysterical behind the scenes meltdowns with allies are legendary.
Insane calls, texts and tantrums while not even being in the country are his brand.
Still thinks he has support to be the candidate to replace Romano for Commissioner ( formerly Freeholder)
His biggest claim to fame was his overuse and misuse of the term Artisan with regards to Lackawana terminal.
Nowhere in the RFP shows his “vision” is a realty
It’s more likely to house a Restoration Hardware and a Olive Garden
But Talking Artisanal anything probably helps Mikey get better rates on his Park Ave “Air B&B” business
https://re-nj.com/lcor-nj-transit-seek-to-reopen-historic-ferry-building-as-part-of-high-profile-hoboken-project/
This guy is a narcissistic has-been.
There’s ZEROOOOOOOOO chance anyone will support him for County Commissioner.
Why does anyone engage with him?
Stay away and spare us your drama!
Remember the fire at Marine View 2 that displaced dizens of residents? Their Councilman, Mike DeFusco, was a NO SHOW bum!
Former First Ward Councilwoman Terry Castellano was there to comfort and assist panicked residents; so were Mayor Bhalla’s staff… but where was Councilman DeFusco? Flexing his muscles at the gym? Partying in Colombia? Who knows?
Just ask any Marine View resident what they think of Mike DeFusco AND his endorsement!