Big changes are happening in Hoboken and Jersey City, and the upcoming elections will decide who will lead next.
Assemblyman John Allen has announced he won’t run again, which leaves his seat open in the New Jersey State Assembly.
Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla has decided to run for it, but he’s not the only one since other candidates are also stepping up.
At the same time, the search for Hoboken’s next mayor has begun, and as Bhalla is moving on, new people are considering running.
Councilwoman Emily Jabbour has already announced her campaign, while others, like Ruben Ramos and Mike Russo, are still considering it.
With so much change on the way, these elections will shape the future of both cities.
Let’s find out what happens next.
Key Takeaways:
- Assemblyman John Allen has decided not to run for re-election, so his seat in the New Jersey State Assembly is open.
- Bhalla has announced he will run for the Assembly, hoping to take his leadership to the state level. Other candidates, like Jessica Ramirez and Katie Brennan, are also in the race.
- Since Bhalla is running for Assembly, the race for Hoboken’s next mayor has started. Councilwoman Emily Jabbour has already said she’s running, while Ruben Ramos and Mike Russo are still considering it.
John Allen Confirms He Won’t Run for Re-Election
After months of rumors, Assemblyman John Allen, who represents Hoboken and part of Jersey City in New Jersey’s 32nd Legislative District, has officially announced he will not run for re-election.
His decision makes room for new candidates, including Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla, who has confirmed he will run for the open Assembly seat.
Allen has been in office for just over a year and has worked on issues like traffic safety, climate change, access to reproductive healthcare, and preventing gun violence.
He also helped bring state funding to local projects.
Even though he is leaving after just one term, he says he is proud of what he has accomplished.
Allen hasn’t shared what he plans to do next, but some believe he may take a job in the private sector or a government position.
He will still be available to help residents and will hold office hours on January 27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hoboken Multi-Service Center.
Ravi Bhalla Joins the Assembly Race
With Allen stepping down, Ravi Bhalla has confirmed he will run for the Assembly seat.
Bhalla, who has been the mayor of Hoboken since 2017, recently announced he wouldn’t run for a third term, which led many to believe he had other plans.
His decision to run for Assembly fits his reputation for pushing big ideas and progressive policies.
Bhalla says he wants to focus on reducing traffic deaths, fighting climate change, and making housing more affordable in Hoboken, Jersey City, and across the state.
As mayor, he created New Jersey’s first-ever Department of Climate Action & Innovation.
Under his leadership, Hoboken also earned a perfect score from the Human Rights Campaign for policies that support LGBTQIA+ residents.
Last year, Bhalla ran in the Democratic congressional primary against Rep. Robert J. Menendez and won over 60% of the vote in the 32nd district area.
If he wins this election, he will become the first Sikh American to serve in the New Jersey State Assembly.
Before becoming mayor, he was a member of the Hoboken City Council from 2010 to 2017.
He also worked as chief of staff and assistant corporation counsel for John Allen, which makes Allen’s decision to step aside even less surprising.
Jessica Ramirez and Katie Brennan Also Entered Competitive Assembly Race
Current Assemblywoman Jessica Ramirez has also announced she will run again.
She has the support of Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop and will likely be a strong candidate.
Another candidate, Katie Brennan, a former official in Governor Phil Murphy’s administration, is also running and has already raised about $85,000 for her campaign.
With multiple candidates in the race, the fight for the two Assembly seats in the 32nd Legislative District is expected to be competitive.
Since there won’t be an official Democratic ticket this time, each candidate will have to win votes on their own in what’s called a “lineless” primary, meaning voters will pick their favorites, and the top two will win the seats.
Who Will Be the Next Mayor of Hoboken?
Since Bhalla is running for Assembly, Hoboken will need a new mayor.
Councilwoman Emily Jabbour, a strong supporter of Bhalla, was the first to announce she is running.
Other possible candidates include Councilmen Mike Russo and Ruben Ramos, though neither has officially announced yet.
Ramos has been raising money, which suggests he is seriously thinking about running.
According to his January 21 filing with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission, he raised $30,390 in the last three months of 2024 and now has $71,923 in campaign funds.
His biggest donations include $3,000 from local developer Mark Settembre, $2,000 from Remington, Vernick & Arango Engineers, Inc., and $1,000 from The Poggi Press.
Other contributions came from Blue Eyes restaurant owner Vincenza Vallelunga, who gave $2,500, and former Board of Education Trustee Hector Irizarry, who donated $1,000.
Ramos hasn’t made a final decision yet, but he has suggested that Hoboken might need a new direction.
He has said he will talk with his family, neighbors, and supporters before deciding whether to run.
Mike Russo is also seen as a possible candidate.
His campaign filings show he raised $81,150 in the last quarter of 2024 and has $322,943 in campaign funds, which suggests he has the financial support to run if he chooses to.
As for Emily Jabbour, the only officially declared candidate so far, her latest fundraising numbers haven’t been released yet.
Another potential candidate, 2nd Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher, also hasn’t shared her financial details.
Upcoming Elections Will Decide Hoboken and Jersey City’s Future
With John Allen stepping down and Ravi Bhalla stepping up, the race for the Assembly will be one to watch, but it is not yet clear who will become the next mayor of Hoboken.
The Democratic primary for the 32nd Legislative District will be important in deciding who will represent Hoboken and Jersey City in the State Assembly.
Bhalla, Ramirez, and Brennan are all strong candidates, and voters will have to decide who they believe will work hardest for their community.
Endorsements, campaign money, and voter support will all play big roles in shaping the final result.
Nonetheless, the Hoboken mayoral race is just beginning, with Jabbour already in and Ramos and Russo possibly joining.
If all three enter, it could be a close race.
The next few months will be important for the future of Hoboken and Jersey City.
The choices made in these elections will have long-term effects on local policies, including transportation, housing, and environmental efforts.
