Hoboken will have a new mayor come Jan. 1, 2026.
Mayor Ravi Bhalla, who ran unsuccessfully for the local congressional seat last year, announced Friday he will not be seeking a third term in office, some 10 months before the non-partisan election.
Bhalla made the announcement in an email blast to residents, saying the decision was made “after conversations with my family.” The mayor, who’s also an attorney, declined to go into detail about his future plans, but said he plans “to pursue public service through a different path.”
With state Assemblyman John Allen not running for re-election, it’s possible Bhalla could run for Assembly in the 32nd District in the June Democratic primary.
“Serving as your mayor these past seven years has been and will continue to be the privilege of my lifetime,” he said in the email. “I am immensely proud of the historic improvements we’ve made together on everything from securing the former Union Dry Dock site for public use, creating a model for pedestrian safety through our Vision Zero campaign, opening what is likely the country’s largest resiliency park at ResilienCity Park, and so much more.”
The city has no shortage of contenders for the top seat.
Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher said Friday she is “actively exploring a run for mayor to build on the progress made and address the challenges that remain.”
“Over the past seven years, Hoboken has seen significant progress and faced historic challenges, from transformative infrastructure projects to navigating the unprecedented difficulties of COVID-19,” she said. “I thank Mayor Bhalla for his service and leadership during this time.
“Looking ahead, Hoboken stands at a pivotal moment, with opportunities to build on successes and address the challenges that remain to further strengthen our amazing community.”
Last year Councilman Ruben Ramos told The Jersey Journal “I’m pretty confident that I could be a viable candidate” and Friday hinted at a possible run.
“While Mayor Bhalla and I have not always agreed on policy issues, I respect his commitment to public service and wish him well in his future endeavors,” Ramos said. “With the mayor announcing that he will not seek re-election our community is about to be at a crossroads.
“I believe that residents want a new direction that prioritizes their needs above outside political interests, and I will be discussing my future plans with my family, neighbors and supporters in the coming weeks.”
Possible contenders also include longtime councilmembers Michael Russo, whose dad was mayor from 1993 to 2001, and Emily Jabbour.
“Hoboken is home to a number of talented public servants and activists, and I have no doubt that the future is bright,” Bhalla said in his announcement. “I also have full faith that the voters of Hoboken will select a trusted leader to bring our city to even greater heights in the years ahead.”
Bhalla also noted other accomplishment during his seven years in office, including a development-free waterfront and the preservation of more than 10 acres of land for public parkland.
Bhalla was first elected mayor in 2017 with an endorsement from then-Mayor Dawn Zimmer, who stepped down after three terms.
Last year he suffered a convincing loss to Rob Menendez in the U.S. House of Representatives Eighth District Democratic primary, even after it appeared the younger Menendez would be vulnerable because of his father’s corruption charges.