Not even a deadly pandemic can stop Hoboken politicos from planning ahead. A Q-tipster passed on this bit-o-wax which originated from the Russo camp.
It goes something like this (not a quote):
[Russo] says he's paid his dues, earned enough good will.
Yep, that's what it sounds like. Michael Russo is at least talking about challenging incumbent Ravi Bhalla for mayor of Hoboken in 2021. My Q-tipster is reliable and that is what Russo peeps floated.
Now, if you want my two cents, floating the rumor for Russo doesn't mean the 3rd Ward Councilman means it.
I've always said that Mike Russo has mad political skillz. Unfortunately, he doesn't have access to enough loot to mount a serious campaign, though he does have enough support among 'Old Hoboken' to spoil a serious campaign (one with access to loot.) So, is the threat of running a spoiler campaign leverage for.... something?
I've always said that Mike Russo has mad political skillz. Unfortunately, he doesn't have access to enough loot to mount a serious campaign, though he does have enough support among 'Old Hoboken' to spoil a serious campaign (one with access to loot.) So, is the threat of running a spoiler campaign leverage for.... something?
Of course, if Ruben Ramos decided to back Mike Russo for mayor, well, that would be a game-changer.
In any case, Mike Russo's recent entreaty to the HCDO that he'd run for Freeholder if they'd back him, was serious. So, he might just be serious about running for mayor in 2021. Stay tuned.
His family's legacy would hurt his chances IF the newcomers in town vote, which they mostly will in round one, but not in a runoff, and that's what this is about. Old guard voters and those who've been given some "incentives" to vote by mail will always turn out.
ReplyDeleteNow that DeFuckup's handlers have brought back runoff elections, we can expect a few more unqualified candidates in addition to Russo to toss their hats in the ring. They don't expect to, or even necessarily want to win. What they want is to position themselves for some payback when the time comes for publicly supporting the other guy. In Russo's case, probably Ramos as it seems there's no love lost between Russo's core supporters and the wirst ward councilman.
Bhalla's doing a good job, and their manufactured outrage doesn't seem to be hitting its target, so all the mayor has to do is stay focused on the very difficult job of governing this fractious town, something his would-be competitors have no skills for.