The Hotel Trades Council are backing Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla’s re-election bid, praising his response during the COVID-19 pandemic.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Ravi Bhalla’s proactive leadership on COVID-19 set an example for mayors around the nation, protecting workers and residents alike,” Hotel Trades Council President Rich Maroko said in a statement.
“He has a proven track record of fighting for working people. We strongly back his re-election as mayor.”
The Hotel Trades Council is based out of New York City but represents 6,000 workers in New Jersey. They have also endorsed Mayor Steven Fulop and his council slate in Jersey City.
“I am honored to be recognized by the Hotel Trades Council and look forward to continuing our constructive and positive working relationship. As mayor, I will continue to stand up for working people,” Bhalla said.
Bhalla is seeking a second term in the non-partisan November 2nd municipal elections and is currently running unopposed, though both 1st Ward Councilman Mike DeFusco and 6th Ward Councilwoman Jen Giattino have expressed an interest in running.
The incumbent has already secured endorsements from the Hoboken Police Superior Officers Association, the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 825, the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA), and two local Latino groups.
There’s a recurring theme in all of these endorsements for Mayor Bhalla: his proactive response to the pandemic and keeping #ourhoboken safe. I think most residents would also agree that he did a good job, so I’m curious what Councilpersons DeFusco and Giattino think they can bring to the table, should they enter the race. Are they going to try to run on platforms saying the Mayor did a bad job during the pandemic? Frankly, DeFusco doesn’t have a leg to stand on there since he fled the city. Seriously, #askingforafriend, what’s could their platforms possible be? I certainly hope DeFusco doesn’t try to run on that lame tag line of “New Energy, New Ideas” – he’s literally been in office for six years. Nothing “new” there.
I’m also curious at what their confidence levels are given they both lost to Bhalla the first time, albeit DeFusco was close but Giattino was an embarrassing fourth place, after #comfortablydishonest Fisher was telling everyone she was going to win, which only further amplified the level of embarrassment.
If both of them ran and at least one of them self-funded to the tune of $150,000 – $200,000, then if they announced immediately I think they could potentially hold Ravi to 60% of the vote.
I’m not sure why anybody would do that but Hoboken politicos are not known for good instincts or rational thought.
Pass me what you’re smoking, Linda Lou!
Defusco laments the cost of living in Hoboken (and months-long pandemic travel in Croatia, Belgium and Colombia) so hawks his condo on AirBnb, Giattino could barely stomach parting with $20K in 2017. Self-fund? Don’t think so. Zimmer could afford to self fund tho it was a sacrifice for which she was never made whole. So I hear.