Hudson County Board of Commissioners Chair Anthony Romano (D-5) is endorsing Hoboken Rent Leveling and Stabilization Board Chair Rafi Cordova in the 1st Ward council race for an open seat.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“I announce my strong support for Rafi Cordova in his campaign to be the next 1st Ward City Councilman,” Romano, also the city’s deputy public safety director, said in a statement.
“Rafi’s care and attention for all Hoboken residents, coupled with his deep knowledge of the most important issues facing our ward make him the ideal candidate to represent us.”
Romano also praised Cordova’s efforts to help seniors in the city, as well as for his service on the volunteer rent leveling board, striving to give fair outcomes to tenants.
“Rafi has built deep ties with the city’s seniors, for whom he serves as a bridge to city services. For the countless residents who know him, he is a dependable and tireless helping hand for any issue that arises … He is a fierce champion of tenant’s rights, fair rents, and development that benefits residents, as opposed to the bottom line of developers or unscrupulous landlords.”
Romano won a closer than expected primary battle, by a margin of about 53-47, in a 2020 rematch with progressive activist Ron Bautista.
He has another race to run this fall, facing a challenge from Hoboken Republican Committee Chair Joe Branco.
Cordova announced his candidacy in May with the support of Mayor Ravi Bhalla, former 1st Ward Councilwoman Terry Castellano, and Democratic Committeewoman Eileen Carvahlo, as HCV first reported.
This came about two weeks after incumbent Mike DeFusco announced he would not be seeking a third term.
For the moment, the non-partisan November 7th contest in the 1st Ward looks like it will be a head-to-head affair, with Cordova squaring off with Paul Presinzano, who runs a local nonprofit group.