Fisher seeks ELEC opinion ‘about upholding the integrity of Hoboken’s elections’

Hoboken 2nd Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher, a candidate for mayor, is seeking an opinion from the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (NJ ELEC) about campaign fundraising practices and contribution limits.

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

“This is about upholding the integrity of Hoboken’s elections. New Jersey’s campaign finance laws are designed to prevent excessive influence by any one donor,” Fisher said in a statement.

“If there’s a loophole that allows candidates to use multiple campaign accounts to fund one campaign or to double-dip from donors and sidestep contribution limits, then ELEC must confirm whether this is legal or a violation of the law.”

Fisher, who has said she will enter the crowded field for mayor but has not yet done a formal launch for the non-partisan November 4th race, went into more detail in a March 5th letter to ELEC.

“I am submitting this request for an advisory opinion regarding the use of funds across multiple campaign committees and the potential to exceed maximum contribution limits,” she explained.

“Specifically, my inquiry seeks clarification on whether a candidate may accept contributions from the same donors through multiple committees and use those combined funds for a single election—a practice that could undermine the intent of New Jersey’s campaign finance laws.”

She further goes into the possible issues with campaign finance law, concerning campaign finance expenses paid by another account prior to declaring mayoral runs.

Fisher notes that herself, 3rd Ward Councilman Mike Russo, 4th Ward Councilman Ruben Ramos, and Councilwoman-at-Large Emily Jabbour maintained, or previously maintained, council accounts.

To that end, it is possible for a donor to make a maximum individual donation of $5,500 to both the council and mayoral campaigns, which Fisher says requires an advisory opinion to clarify how funds can be used for a separate race and/or transferred to related committees for the same candidate.

“Specifically, I seek clarification on:

1. Whether a candidate may lawfully solicit and use contributions from the same donors for two committees – 2027 City Council and 2025 Mayoral, particularly where those donors have already contributed the maximum legal amount to the 2027 City Council committee, and all funds are used for the 2025 Mayoral race,” she wrote.

“2. Whether spending funds raised under one committee(e.g.,2027 City Council)on campaign materials that benefit another campaign (e.g., 2025 Mayor) is a permissible use of funds or a violation of campaign finance laws.”

The councilwoman concludes that she would like clarity on whether or not these practices circumvent the current campaign finance laws regulated by ELEC.

ELEC Deputy Executive Director Joe Donohue told HCV that Fisher’s letter was received “and staff is reviewing it.”

“Transparency and accountability in campaign finance are essential to public trust. This advisory opinion request is about making sure the rules are clear and followed by everyone. I am fully committed to complying with ELEC’s guidance and ensuring this election is fair for all candidates and voters,” Fisher added.

“Over a third of Mike Russo’s donations have been given under his City Council campaign even though he told donors he was running for Mayor, and have been at or above the maximum amount. Of this, $100,000 has been from developers, with $52,000 coming from one of the biggest developers in Hoboken.”

Russo, who led the field with $322,943.53 cash on hand to start the new year, officially declared on February 18th, while Ramos jumped in right after on February 21st, while Jabbour was the first candidate to announce on January 13th, all as HCV first reported.

The five-person mayoral race in the Mile Square City is rounded out by former U.S. Treasury Department Deputy Assistant Secretary Dini Ajmani.

“The campaign has followed and will follow all applicable municipal, state, and federal election laws and regulations, including previous guidance given from ELEC to the campaign on this very matter,” said Ramos for mayor spokesman Tim Carroll.

“This is not Councilman Ramos’ first election and his track record of transparent compliance according to the letter of the law precedes him.”

Russo declined to comment, while Jabbour did not respond after being forwarded a copy of Fisher’s letter.

Editor’s note: This story was updated with a comment from Ruben Ramos for mayor campaign spokesman Tim Carroll.