First time candidates Joe Quintero and Dini Ajmani will join Hoboken Councilwoman-at-Large Emily Jabbour on Mayor Ravi Bhalla’s council slate.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Together, Councilwoman Emily Jabbour, Joe Quintero and Dini Ajmani provide a proven track record of success, deep professional experience that will serve our city well, and an infusion of new energy,” Bhalla said in a statement.
“This is a team that I know can help me lead Hoboken forward.”
While he had picked up petitions for nomination, Councilman-at-Large Jim Doyle will not seek a third term on the governing body. However, he is already coming out in support of this year’s incarnation of the Bhalla slate.
“I know first-hand how hard and effectively Emily Jabbour works as a Councilperson, and she always has the best interest of Hoboken residents front and center,” Doyle noted.
“Joe Quintero and Dini Admani will bring to the council both smarts and a strong commitment to Hoboken. I enthusiastically support Emily, Joe, and Dini for Hoboken City Council.”
Elected with Team Bhalla in 2017, Jabbour helped to launch FLAG, the Front Line Appreciation Group, to support front line workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
She also founded the Hudson County Chapter of Moms Demand Action, a grassroots advocacy organization focused on preventing gun violence. She is an active supporter of the Hoboken Public Education Foundation and a regular volunteer with the Hoboken Food
Additionally, Jabbour works full-time as a Senior Social Science Research Analyst for the Administration for Children and Families, part of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, and is a graduate of the Columbia University School of Social Work.
As for Quintero, he is an an attorney who works to ensure that banks comply with federal and state regulations. He also began serving as one of the vice chairs of the Hoboken Democratic Committee earlier this year.
The son of Colombian immigrants, Quinetero is a graduate of University of Massachusetts-Amherst and received his law degree from Fordham Law School.
Finally, Ajmani serves as assistant treasurer for the State of New Jersey. In this role, she is responsible for pension and health benefits for the State’s public employees, the NJ lottery, and the managing of the state’s public debt.
She also serves on the Board of New Jersey Transit on behalf of the State Treasurer. Prior to her service in the public sector, Dini worked for more than two decades in the financial services, including stints at Morgan Stanley and JP Morgan.
Currently, Ajmani is also a commissioner on the Hoboken Planning Board, as well as a Democratic Committeewoman. She earned a Master’s in Computer Sciences from University of Texas and an MBA from Stanford University.
The other incumbent, Vanessa Falco, has opted not to seek re-election in favor of becoming the city’s first director of the division of housing in January, to the dismay of at least two of her colleagues.
Both Patricia Waiters and Cheryl Fallick have picked up petitions of nomination and could potentially run as independents, while 2nd Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher put out a call for independent candidates to run in an email blast this morning.
Petitions are due at the City Clerk’s Office at 4 p.m. on August 30th for Hoboken’s non-partisan November 2nd municipal elections.