Assemblywoman Annette Chaparro (D-33) is endorsing Paul Presinzano in Hoboken’s 1st Ward council race, citing his commitment to speaking up and challenging the status quo.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“This year, our 1st Ward Election has taken an ugly turn, and this is something I strongly dislike and is part of the reason why I’m reaching out. There’s a reason why people don’t come out to vote, and it’s because they believe nothing will change. But the change our community needs starts with your vote,” she wrote in a letter to 1st Ward residents.
“I’m proud to endorse Paul Presinzano to be our First Ward Councilmember. While many promises have been made and stones thrown, I believe residents can see with their own eyes what’s going on. Lying to win an election only hurts Hoboken. Our quality of life and safety are of the utmost importance, and maintaining Hoboken’s affordability and government services should be an open-door policy for us.”
Chaparro, who lives in the 1st Ward and also works at City Hall, is finishing her fourth term as a state legislator, which comes to a conclusion at the end of the year. She was tapped to run for office by former Mayor Dawn Zimmer.
She had been a running mate of state Senator Brian Stack, but with redistricting, Hoboken’s state Senator will be her other old running mate, Assemblyman Raj Mukherji.
Replacing her as the new 32nd Legislative District’s state Assembly representative from Hoboken will be John Allen, a close political ally of Mayor Ravi Bhalla.
“The truth is, all this should be and can be done now! Changing the narrative to benefit Paul Presinzano’s opponent won’t make you unsee anything. But choosing someone who has been firmly speaking up and challenging things that don’t work for our ward or city is essential. It didn’t just start with this election,” Chaparro added.
“We need to take those day-to-day frustrations we share when we run into neighbors on the street or read about on social media and send an independent fighter to represent us for a better quality of life.”
Presinzano also has the backing of Council members Tiffanie Fisher, Ruben Ramos, and Jen Giattino as he looks to defeat Rafi Cordova, who has the endorsement of Mayor Ravi Bhalla and his team, in the non-partisan December 5th contest.