Bhalla Team Fails In Attempt To Kick 3 Independents Out Of Hoboken Council Race (UPDATE)

HOBOKEN, NJ — While Mayor Ravi Bhalla of Hoboken is running unopposed to re-election in November, his ticket of three council candidates must face seven opponents for three seats on the City Council — and on Monday, his team's legal attempt to remove three of them failed.

A Hudson County Superior Court judge ruled on Monday that all 10 candidates will remain on the ballot in November, despite a legal challenge.

A letter from the Bhalla Team to the Hoboken city clerk dated Sept. 8 challenged signatures on the nominating petitions of Manny Rivera, Cindy Weigand, and Ian Rintel.

The letter stated that some of the Hoboken residents who signed the nominating petitions had appeared on four candidates' petitions, which is too many by city law.

Some of those on the list of signers were council candidates in the past, including one who had been supported by Bhalla.

Ian Rintel, a local business owner who is running for a council seat with the slogan "Too Many Politicians In Politics," said that Bhalla's challenge came too late in the process.

He also said the independent candidates submitted over 75 pages of documentation to counter Bhalla's challenge.

"Ultimately," he said, "why does the mayor's team not want candidates on the ballot? I get he doesn't want his candidates to lose — but he's the mayor of Hoboken and his first duty is to protect the interest of Hoboken residents. Isn't more choice of candidates in the best interest of Hoboken residents?"

Rintel, who has lived in Hoboken for 23 years, chronicled the legal challenge on his campaign website here, and explained why he was running.

Rob Horowitz of the Bhalla Team said Monday afternoon, "As the City Clerk's office itself stated, the candidates challenged did not meet the minimum requirements for qualifying for the ballot. That being said, we accept the judge's decision and welcome all the council candidates to the race. We look forward to a spirited contest."

Councilman Michael DuFusco wrote, "Democracy is about choices, which is why it's concerning the mayor + his council slate filed a legal challenge to remove a public charter school mother, a LGBTQ+ candidate and a small business owner from November's ballot."

90-Minute Hearing

On Monday, Rintel received the court order from Hudson County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Jablonski saying he and the other independent candidates can remain on the ballot.

Rintel said Bhalla's attorneys and others were present for a 90-minute hearing.

So while Bhalla himself faces no opposition for his re-election bid — an unusual situation in Hoboken politics — Hoboken voters will still have a choice of 10 candidates to fill three spots on the City Council.

Ten Council Candidates To Choose From

Bhalla is running with a slate of three people for council-at-large seats: Incumbent Councilwoman Emily Jabbour, incumbent Councilman James Doyle, and council newcomer Joe Quintero. READ MORE: Hoboken Election: Jim Doyle Replaces Dini Ajmani On Mayor's Slate

Doyle has already served two terms and at first did not plan to run for a third, but another Bhalla choice dropped out and Doyle reconsidered.

Three other candidates who are running together on a slate called Independently Together had a statement on the court proceedings.

“Democracy is dependent on many voices, and we want to welcome the three candidates that Team Bhalla attempted to keep off the ballot," said Cheryl Fallick, Sheila Brennan, and Paul Presinzano. "We are excited for an issues-based campaign with lively but civil discussion and debate about the best ways to meet challenges and opportunities for Hoboken’s future."

Aside from Bhalla's candidates, here are the other seven candidates who filed to run, with their slogans:

• Cheryl Fallick, Independently Together
• Sheila Brennan, Independently Together
• Paul Presinzano, Independently Together
• Manuel Rivera, Manny Rivera for Hoboken
• Ian Rintel, TOO MANY POLITICIANS IN POLITICS
• Patricia Waiters, Patricia Waiters for Real Constituent Services
• Cindy Wiegand, Your Friendly Neighborhood Councilwoman

Hoboken is run by a full-time mayor and a nine-member City Council. The other six council seats will be up for election in 2023.

Hoboken's municipal elections are non-partisan, meaning the elections aren't Republicans vs. Democrats, but various individuals and slates against each other.

Team Bhalla chairman Rob Horowitz had said last month that the Team Bhalla candidates had filed a total of 4,342 petition signatures: Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla filed 1,261 signatures; Councilwoman Emily Jabbour filed 1,128 signatures; Joe Quintero filed 1,000 signatures; and Councilman Jim Doyle filed 953.

Previous Hoboken Election Coverage

• Candidates file to run: Hoboken Mayor Running Unopposed 'Unusual' In Recent History
• Hoboken Councilman Michael DeFusco, who ran against Bhalla four years ago and lost by under 500 votes, said he wouldn't run, citing the "toxic" nature of Hoboken politics and the effect it had on his mental health: Citing 'Toxic' Hoboken Politics, Councilman Won't Run For Mayor
• Two months ago, Bhalla announced his intention in June to seek re-election. READ MORE: I'm Running For Re-Election, Announces Mayor

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