Liz Urtecho, the founder of the Hoboken for Responsible Cannabis Inc., has announced she plans on challenging 5th Ward Councilman Phil Cohen this fall.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“I am excited to announce that I am running to be elected as Hoboken’s 5th Ward Councilwoman in November,” Urtecho said.
“Many of my 5th Ward neighbors have approached me desperate for new leadership who will listen and better address their concerns about issues such as increased development, pedestrian safety, the need to invest in our schools and rising taxes. It’s been with their overwhelming support that I have decided to run for city council.”
She and her husband, Erik, have lived in Hoboken for 30 years where they have raised their four children.
Liz worked in the finance industry for over a decade where she specialized in financial reporting, budgeting, and project management prior to staying home full-time with her family.
In October, Hoboken for Responsible Cannabis, Inc. filed a legal challenge against the planning board’s approval of the Blue Violets dispensary and the case is still pending.
“Liz is a person of enormous integrity, who will add a breath of fresh air to our council; an independent, community-minded public servant who is entirely motivated by doing what is right for her neighbors,” noted 5th Ward residents Deb Jacobus and Bob Conrad.
“It is time to begin changing the fabric and character of our council – and we believe Liz Urtecho will be an essential first step in that direction.”
She is also coming out the gate with an endorsement from Cohen’s predecessor, Peter Cunningham, who retired at the end of 2019 after three terms in office.
“Liz is a dedicated community leader, who is a trusted neighbor. She will bring a much needed common sense approach to all legislative matters for the diverse needs of the 5th Ward,” he stated.
“As already proven, Liz will ask the right questions in order to get to the best solutions. She will work hard and be a strong voice for the 5th Ward in City Hall.”
Urtecho will host a campaign kick-off fundraiser on March 9th at 7 p.m. at the Kolo Klub, the same venue where Cohen launched his re-election bid in December after a recall effort fizzled out.
Cohen was the sole member of Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla’s slate to get elected in 2019 and has already received his backing again.
The non-partisan Hoboken ward council races are on November 7th.
Thus far, the only other candidate that has announced a challenge to an incumbent is Paul Presinzano, who declared last month that he would take on 1st Ward Councilman Mike DeFusco.