HOBOKEN — Hoboken residents noted this week that although Dawn Zimmer is the first female actually elected as mayor in Hudson County, at least two other females did lead their cities without being elected. Both stepped in after their cities’ mayors were convicted on federal charges.
Marilyn Roman was the first female mayor in Hudson County, although she was not elected. A City Council president in 1992, Roman became interim mayor of Jersey City when Mayor Gerald McCann stepped down from his post because of his conviction on federal fraud charges. She served for four months until a new council president was chosen.
Rhyta Musto became mayor in Union City when she stepped in as commissioner for husband, Mayor William Musto, and was elected mayor by her commissioner colleagues. William Musto gave up his seat after his conviction on federal racketeering charges.