Emily Jabbour was sworn in as the 40th mayor of Hoboken by Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill (D) at a roughly hour-long ceremony at the Stevens Institute of Technology’s DeBaun Auditorium.
By Dan Israel/Hudson County View
In her brief remarks, Sherrill acknowledged the dignitaries in the room, as well as the rest of the audience, commending them for attending the swearing in ceremony.
She described them as “great elected officials” who care about Hoboken as much as those in attendance and ensuring residents are taken care of.
“It is really amazing to be here and to see this room full of so many people who have just come out to support our public servants,” Sherrill said before administering the oaths of office.
“When they take the oath, it’s a commitment to serving all of you. It’s a commitment to making sure whatever’s keeping you up at night, they are here to have your back and to address those critical needs… They know it is a commitment, despite everything that’s going on, to focus on you.”
Sherrill swore in new Council at-large members Steve Firestone and Caitlin Layson, as well as Councilman at-Large Joe Quintero, before Jabbour – who was formally sworn in in front of City Hall earlier Thursday – was recognized as mayor for the first time publicly.
U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez (D-8) congratulated the newly sworn in elected officials, also thanking their families for the sacrifices they will be making.
He added that he’s known Jabbour for years, highlighting her advocacy as well as their common ground in being parents, making generational promises to give their kids whatever they couldn’t.
“For us who have young families, that generational promise we make to each other, we make to our communities,” the congressman stated.
“I know that I want to leave this district in a much better place to keep moving things forward. I know Emily wants to continue to work with Mayor Bhalla and the city council to move Hoboken forward and always make good on that promise, that every day, we’re going to wake up and do our best to deliver for all of you.”
State Senator Raj Mukherji (D-32) described Jabbour as a tireless problem solver who will fight for all 60,000 or so Mile Square City residents over the next four years.
“There’s no issue too big or small for this fixer. She’s built her reputation one response at a time,” he exclaimed.
“And that’s exactly what I’ve come to know about council members on her ticket and the breadth of experience that she was looking at when she was choosing running mates … That kind of responsiveness is not performative. It’s certainly not flashy. It is service in the only way that Emily knows.”
Moms Demand Action Executive Director Angela Ferrell-Zabala – who flew from Texas to be there – noted that because of years of moms, survivors, students, and lawmakers taking action, New Jersey has some of the strongest gun safety laws in the nation.
She continued that Jabbour has long been a leader before she was even a councilwoman, and was happy to see her ascend to mayor to continue to do the work regarding gun safety in Hoboken.
“Because of that leadership, lives are being saved. But progress like this, it doesn’t just happen,” she said.
“It happens because one by one, step by step, people are stepping up to do this good work… Mayor Jabbour, that’s exactly what you did. As a founder of the Hudson County Chapter of Moms Demand Action, you helped build a movement from the ground up.”
In her inaugural address, Jabbour thanked Hoboken residents for their support and laid out her vision for a safer, cleaner, more affordable, and more welcoming city.
She committed to have an administration that boasts collaboration, transparency, and meaningful engagement with residents, noting priorities including strengthening public safety and social services, investing in infrastructure and technology, and ensuring that Hoboken’s government remains accessible, and responsive.
Jabbour also emphasized her commitment to responsive government, responsible fiscal management, and policies that ensure Hoboken remains a vibrant place to live, work, and raise a family during her inaugural address.
She later underscored the importance of working closely with the council to deliver progress for all residents.
“My promise to you is this: I will show up every day ready to listen, ready to work, and ready to lead with optimism and purpose. I will never forget that this job is about service, not a title, and progress, not politics,” she concluded.
“Together, we can and we will do the work that matters. We can and we will meet the challenges in front of us. And we can and we will build a Hoboken that is safer, cleaner, more affordable, and more welcoming for everyone.”
Jabbour was first elected to the council in 2017, winning re-election and a second term in 2021.
Quintero was first elected alongside her four years ago and is returning for his second term, while Firestone and Layson are both newcomers to the municipal government.
Other dignitaries in attendance included Hudson County Executive Craig Guy Assemblywoman Katie Brennan, Assemblyman Ravi Bhalla (both D-32), Hudson County Commissioner Anthony Romano (D-05) Jersey City Mayor James Solomon, and Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner, among many others.
