Hoboken 4th Ward Councilman Ruben Ramos raised $30,390 in the fourth quarter of 2024 and has $71,923.01 cash on hand, his January 21st filing with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (NJ ELEC) says.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Local developer Mark Settembre donated $3,000, Remington, Vernick & Arango Engineers, Inc. wrote a check for $2,000, and The Poggi Press, owned by Charles Poggi, got involved at $1,000, according to the report, which was six days late.
Blue Eyes owner Vincenza Vallelunga gave $2,500, Academy Lines (formerly Academy Bus) Vice President of Real Estate David Lehmkuhl donated $1,500, former Board of Education Trustee Hector Irizarry contributed $1,000, and former Hoboken Mayor Dave Roberts chipped in $900.
Additionally, Anthony David’s restaurant owner David Pino showed his support with $850.
His expenses were very low, not spending more than $500 on any campaign efforts between October 1st and December 31st, spending a total of just $3,366.22.
Ramos, a former state Assemblyman who has also previously been elected as Hoboken councilman-at-large, has not declared any plans for the non-partisan November 4th mayoral race, but has hinted he is considering getting in.
“While Mayor Bhalla and I have not always agreed on policy issues, I respect his commitment to public service and wish him well in his future endeavors,” he said after Mayor Ravi Bhalla declared he wouldn’t seek a third term, as HCV first reported.
“With the Mayor announcing that he will not seek reelection our community is about to be at a crossroads. I believe that residents want a new direction that prioritizes their needs above outside political interests, and I will be discussing my future plans with my family, neighbors and supporters in the coming weeks.”
3rd Ward Councilman Mike Russo, an all but declared candidate for mayor, raised $81,150 in the 4th quarter of last year, with $322,943.53 cash on hand.
Councilwoman-at-Large Emily Jabbour, the only declared candidate, and 2nd Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher, another potential candidate, do not have 4th quarter reports available on the ELEC website yet.