Hoboken 2nd Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher said in an email blast this morning that she will be seeking a third term and has her campaign kickoff set for Tuesday, May 23rd.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“It has been my highest honor and privilege to represent my 2nd Ward and Hoboken neighbors on City Council these past what are now almost eight years. When I look back and see all that we have accomplished together, I know it is because of your willingness to engage and partner with me on issues important to our community, and important to you,” she wrote.
“It is with this continuing partnership and your support that I am excited to announce: I am running for re-election so we can finish the important work we have started and ensure the brightest future possible for our community.”
First elected in 2015 when she ran on a slate backed by then-Mayor Dawn Zimmer, Fisher was re-elected in 2019 by a close margin of about 53-47 against Nora Martinez-Debenedetto, who had the backing of Mayor Ravi Bhalla.
Accomplishments she cited included securing the uptown waterfront for public use, negotiating a new deal with SUEZ (now Veolia) Water, pedestrian safety improvements, and being an indepedent voice on the council that checks the administration when needed.
She also vowed to engage, inform, and advocate, specifically on ongoing projects like revitalizing the housing authority, building a community center and pool, and preventing the Story Dispensary from opening at the site of the old Hudson Tavern.
While the dispensary has full municipal approval, it is awaiting a hearing from the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission as the condo association, dispensary, and building owners, which includes Jaclyn Fulop, the wife of Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, remain embroiled in litigation.
For the time being, Bhalla has only endorsed one candidate for council in the non-partisan November 6th ward elections: 5th Ward Councilman Phil Cohen.
With that in mind, it appears to be a forgone conclusion that Bhalla and his team will put together a full throttled effort to unseat Fisher, his most outspoken political adversary on the city council at the moment.
Her kickoff will be held at the Urban Coal House, 116 14th St., on May 23rd from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.
1st Ward Councilman Mike DeFusco, who was first elected when Fisher was, has announced that he won’t run again, as HCV first reported, leaving Paul Presinzano as the only declared candidate in the downtown district at the moment.
4th Ward Councilman Ruben Ramos, a former state assemblyman, declared he’d be seeking another term last month, while Liz Urtecho has emerged as a challenger to Cohen.
Although they haven’t made any formal announcements yet, both 3rd Ward Councilman Mike Russo and 6th Ward Councilwoman Jen Giattino are both expected to seek re-election as well.