HOBOKEN — On the day that candidates are due to file petitions to run for re-election to the Hoboken City Council, 2nd Ward Councilwoman Beth Mason released a long statement saying she won’t run for council, but will remain involved in her ward on the north waterfront. The election for six ward seats will be held in November.
Mason has represented the ward since 2007, but has been involved for much of that time in a political power struggle with other members of the “reform” movement in Hoboken, and in the last few years has been allied with opponents of Mayor Dawn Zimmer instead of her supporters.
“Hoboken is a great place to live and raise a family, and I will continue to stay involved to help improve Hoboken’s quality of life,” she wrote in her Monday morning press release. “I didn’t run because I needed a job. I ran because there was a job to do and I believe the 2nd Ward is better off now than it was when I first took office.”
Before gaining office, Mason became involved in city life by filing several lawsuits during the administration of Mayor David Roberts to make public information more available to citizens. She succeeded several times. She was also heavily involved in a campaign finance reform group. “As City Council president, Mason sponsored the most comprehensive campaign finance reform in the nation,” the release reads.
Mason cited “watching the community come together to preserve more than 2 acres of open space and create 1600 park” as one of the highlights during her involvement in Hoboken. She is also opposing the Monarch at the Shipyard development in its current proposed form, along with her neighbors, and says she’ll continue to be involved in that effort.
When Mason first became involved in Hoboken, she was seen as a future leader of the reform movement. However, Mason faced Dawn Zimmer for mayor in two elections and began making decisions that were questioned by her supporters. She eventually became allied with Zimmer’s opponents on the council.
She has not returned a phone call as of yet to get more details on her decision not to run or what’s in store for her future. A heavy contributor to national and local Democratic campaigns, she has been rumored in the past to be seeking higher office.
“I plan to continue standing up for the causes I’ve always believed in because I believe in Hoboken and the great people who love our community,” she wrote.
Petitions to run for council are due today at 4 p.m. Watch the Reporter tonight for details on who is running and for the most comprehensive campaign coverage.
And if you want to run, rush to the city clerk’s office now — there’s still time to gather signatures! Don’t miss out.
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