Hoboken Councilwoman-at-Large Emily Jabbour is the frontrunner to be the council president in 2023, sources familiar with the situation told HCV.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Jabbour, who was elected as part of then-Councilman-at-Large Ravi Bhalla’s ticket in 2017 and was then re-elected last year, served as the council vice president this year while 3rd Ward Councilman Mike Russo served as council president.
Bhalla typically holds a 5-4 majority on the council and it’s rare for someone up for re-election to hold a leadership position, which is notable since the six ward council races are in November.
“There were some conversations going back a year ago about new council leadership. When there was discussion about [Russo] taking on council president, I expressed interest in that as well. With that said, nothing in Hoboken is done until it’s done,” Jabbour said over the phone.
She also acknowledged that Russo said he’d like to nominate her for the post at his fundraiser earlier this month.
“All he can say for now is that he’d like to nominate me and that’s lovely, but I’d like to speak with all of my colleagues. The meetings have been more efficient and things have been vetted in a more detailed way this year and that’s something I’d like to continue.”
Multiple sources, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, were far more bullish on Jabbour’s chances to lead the governing body in 2023, insisting that she had the lion’s share of votes locked up already.
Between 2017 and 2021, 6th Ward Councilwoman Jen Giattino and 4th Ward Councilman Ruben Ramos were the only electeds to serve as council president in the Mile Square City.