Hoboken 3rd Ward Councilman Mike Russo is supporting U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez (D-8) for a second term, citing his willingness to provide support to the Mile Square City.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Hoboken is fortunate to have Rob Menendez fighting for us in Congress, and I am thrilled to endorse him for re-election. From helping us secure Union Dry Dock to fighting helicopter noise, from tackling the housing affordability crisis to securing billions of dollars for mass transit, Rob has been a champion for the issues that matter to Hoboken residents,” Russo said in an email blast and Facebook post.
“Most importantly, as residents who have struggled to navigate the federal bureaucracy know, Rob’s office has also made constituent service a priority, solving over 1,500 constituent cases, including complex immigration matters. Rob has done the work to earn my support and I look forward to making sure he continues to be our ally in Congress.”
While he hasn’t made any formal announcement yet, Russo has been signaling a bid for mayor next year.
For example, he hosted a fundraiser last month that featured several Hudson County Democratic Organization mainstays, including Menendez, that was part of a serious fundraising effort in the first quarter, as HCV first reported.
Therefore, the veteran councilman has Mayor Ravi Bhalla, Menendez’s chief opposition in the June 4th primary, in his crosshairs, given that he could seek re-election next year if Menendez is re-elected.
And if Bhalla managed to pull off the upset, his endorsement of a candidate challenging Russo for mayor would have added value.
Furthermore, Russo is now part of the council majority that opposes Bhalla, therefore it is no surprise that 1st Ward Councilman Paul Presinzano, 2nd Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher, and 4th Ward Councilman Ruben Ramos all endorsed Menendez.
Fisher and Ramos are also potential 2025 mayoral candidates.
On the other hand, Councilman-at-Large Joe Quintero, who ran with Bhalla in 2021, and 5th Ward Councilman Phil Cohen, who was endorsed by the mayor in 2019 and 2023, are backing Bhalla for Congress.
Two nepo baby politicians with felons for fathers…what could go wrong?
Get real. The thing they really have in common is the past enthusiastic support of Mayor Ravi Bhalla who also sucked up to both fathers.