HOBOKEN – If you’re thinking of running for City Council in Hoboken when six ward seats expire in May, you should probably hurry. The deadline to file for a spot in the Hoboken City Council race is March 17, according to City Clerk James Farina.
As of Friday morning, there were at least two candidates vying for seats in every one of the six wards:
– In the 1st Ward, Councilwoman Theresa Castellano will face challenger Eric Kurta. The 1st Ward covers the southeast portion of the city, along the waterfront and the Jersey City border.
– In the 2nd Ward, Council President Beth Mason will take on Tom Greaney, with a rumored third candidate lurking. The 2nd Ward encompasses the northeastern portion of the city along the waterfront.
– In the 3rd Ward, Councilman Michael Russo is being challenged by Greg Lincoln. The 3rd Ward is on the western side of Hoboken, with portions of the ward between 3rd and 9th streets.
– In the 4th Ward, Rami Pinchevsky will challenge Councilman Tim Occhipinti, who was just elected in a November special election. The 4th Ward borders Jersey City in the southwest portion of Hoboken.
– In the 5th Ward, Councilman Peter Cunningham is being challenged by Leonard Luizzi, but as is the case in the 2nd Ward, another candidate is rumored to be about to emerge. Perry Belfiore confirmed on Friday that he is considering running for office, and has been out in the community gathering petitions.
– In the 6th Ward, Jennifer Giattino will challenge Councilman Nino Giacchi. The 6th Ward is on the east side of the city, and it borders the 1st and 2nd wards.
In order to run for office, a candidate must gather a certain amount of petitions depending on the ward population. In order to run in the 1st Ward, candidates need 61 petitions. In the 2nd Ward, candidates need 58 petitions. In the 3rd Ward, candidates need 60. In the 4th Ward, candidates need 61 petitions. In the 5th and 6th wards, candidates need 52 petitions, according to Farina.
In the next few weeks, look for our election preview in The Hoboken Reporter . — Ray Smith
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