Hoboken 3rd Ward Councilman Mike Russo raised $88,300 in Quarter 3, with $285,297.54 cash on hand, his biggest haul to date as he gears up for a mayoral run next year, campaign finance records show.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Alamo Insurance Founder and President Luis Alamo donated $2,600, Applied Companies Co-Founder Joe Barry contributed $1,000, as did Bijou Development Managing Partner Larry Bijou, according to his October 15th report filed with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (NJ ELEC).
Former Union City Mayor Rudy Garcia, now MBI Gluckshaw partner and president, wrote a check for $2,600, Fairview Insurance COO Michael Graham chipped in $2,700, and the Hoboken Fire Officers Association Local 1076 gave $900.
Additionally, Board of Education Trustee Chetali Khanna showed her support with $700, former West New York Commissioner Jerry Lange donated $1,000, the New Jersey State Laborers gave the same, and the Operating Engineers Local 825 contributed $500.
Also of note, former Hoboken Mayor Dave Roberts chipped in $500, as did former 1st Ward Councilwoman Theresa Castellano, Russo’s cousin.
The time frame between July 1st and September 30th also saw Russo keep his expenses relatively light, with $24,095.38 on expenditures.
Springfield-based Activate Media was paid $6,000, Caleb McDermott, of San Francisco, was compensated $4,000, and Scotch Plains-based Social Status Co received $3,000.
While there aren’t any declared candidates in the Mile Square City for the non-partisan November 4th, 2025 mayoral contest, Russo and Councilwoman-at-Large Emily Jabbour are nearly certain to run incumbent Ravi Bhalla expected to run for a state Assembly seat.
Other potential candidates include 2nd Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher and 4th Ward Councilman Ruben Ramos. Fisher, Ramos, and Jabbour did not have Q3 reports available on the ELEC website as of this writing.
You do for me I do for you
The infamous quote from Michael Russo’s “Big Sting” lunch video
That’s not the political kryptonite Russo’s opponents seem to think it is.
To voters who moved to Hoboken in the last 10 – 15 years, the attacks come off as a nasty smear. Plus, Mayor Bhalla and his team including Councilwoman Jabbour as a seemingly enthusiastic participant, basically inoculated Mike by kissing his rear end and cutting deals for his vote for 7 years.
They handed him control over the HHA Redevelopment and put him on the cannabis board. They either don’t think he is corrupt or they were his partners in crime.
Anybody who discounts Mike’s as a candidate is a fool. He already has raised enough money to run an effective campaign, he’s politically savier than his potential opponents and my guess is he’ll outwork them.
Right now he’s the clear favorite to be the next Mayor and that ain’t likely to change if his opponents don’t wake up and smell the coffee before the train leaves the station.
Maybe it is not kryptonite but then again Russo is no Superman.
All Hoboken voters need is a quick reminder, a look at his video to remember what he is. Morally and financially bankrupt.