Three days after Mayor Ravi Bhalla announced his three-person council-at-large slate for the November 2nd municipal elections, Dini Ajmani has dropped out of race and will be replaced by Councilman Jim Doyle.
“Councilman Jim Doyle comes to every issue facing the City Council prepared, well-informed and ready to offer pragmatic solutions that move Hoboken forward,” Bhalla said in a statement this afternoon.
“I am so pleased that Jim is making the sacrifice of postponing some of the family time he was looking forward to and so richly deserved, once again putting Hoboken first.”
On Wednesday, Doyle had endorsed the team of Councilwoman-at-Large Emily Jabbour, Joe Quintero, and Ajmani, as HCV first reported, but will now seek a third term after all.
The Bhalla campaign said that Ajmani was bowing out “because of personal reasons that just emerged” and did not provide any further information, though sources with knowledge of the situation said she is pursuing a new professional opportunity.
She currently works as the assistant treasurer for the State of New Jersey.
The Bhalla team is expected to face at least one full slate challenge, with Cheryl Fallick, Sheila Brenna, and Paul Presinzano expected to enter the race while the mayor currently has no declared opponents ahead of the August 30th filing deadline.
Pat Waiters has also picked up petitions for nomination to run for council-at-large and is already on the ballot for the board of education race.
2nd Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher said the move shows Bhalla is feeling the pressure with an opposition slate formed.
“Not surprised Mayor Bhalla changed course now that his council slate may face opposition from independent candidates. But I am surprised Jim Doyle agreed to step back in given I had heard he was unhappy on the city council for a while and did not want to campaign again.”
The non-partisan Hoboken municipal elections are on November 2nd.