Former Hoboken Councilman Mike DeFusco Endorses Councilman Michael Russo for Mayor of Hoboken

HOBOKEN, NJ—November 17, 2025—Today, Mike DeFusco, who served as Hoboken’s First Ward Councilman from 2016 to 2023, proudly endorsed Dr. Michael Russo to be Hoboken’s next Mayor. DeFusco offered the following remarks: 

“Every so often, a community reaches a moment when it has to pause, look in the mirror, and ask: Who are we? What kind of future do we want to build? And in those moments, leadership stops being about titles or talking points. It becomes about judgment. About integrity. About whether we’re willing to face hard truths instead of hiding from them.

Over my 13 years serving Hoboken—both in elected office and in appointed roles—I learned that plain truths matter. Folks know when you’re leveling with them. And they know when you’re not.

I’ve never been someone who hands out endorsements lightly. It’s simply not who I am. My instinct has always been to keep my head down and do the work. But over time, you also learn when the status quo is falling short, and when a community needs someone willing to challenge it.

That’s why I’m speaking up now. After a lot of reflection, I believe Mike Russo represents the kind of leadership this moment demands.

This is the first truly contested mayoral election since I narrowly lost to Ravi Bhalla in 2017. And the same things I said then are even more true today. The new energy and ideas I pushed for back then were never going to be realized under Ravi—and they weren’t. And nothing will change under Emily Jabbour.

I’ve worked closely with both Emily and Mike. I’ve agreed with them. I’ve debated them. But here’s the truth: for eight years, Emily has been at the very center of political power in Hoboken. She’s had full access to the administration she’s now trying to distance herself from. Reinvention may be convenient in an election year, but it raises real questions about trust.

And when you look at the political machinery behind her—the same PAC networks, the same donors, the same operatives who backed Mayor Bhalla—you begin to see a pattern. If the same people, the same money, and the same playbook are powering this campaign, how different will the leadership really be?

That’s the choice before Hoboken.

Take bike and pedestrian safety. For years we’ve been promised “complete streets.” But instead of safer routes, cyclists have been pushed onto sidewalks and pedestrians put at risk. Plans that sounded good never matched the reality on our streets.

Or taxes. Year after year, families have taken the hit—until folks like Mike and myself stood up and said spending had to be brought back to what was fair, what was responsible, what delivered real results.

And then there’s public safety. When a grandfather and a nanny were attacked in Church Square Park last year, the silence from City Hall was deafening. Leadership is about stepping up when people are scared—not staying quiet.

Let me share something personal.

When I first joined the City Council—after defeating Mike Russo’s cousin, a genuinely good woman—I didn’t expect Mike to treat me as anything other than an opponent. But he didn’t. He treated me as a partner. He listened. We disagreed at times, but we worked.

And together, we delivered.

We advanced the European-style market at Warrington Plaza—an idea I championed, and one Mike defended behind closed doors when the administration resisted. When that project opens, the city will see what real collaboration can achieve.

And when the administration botched the sale of the public works garage—selling the land without securing a replacement site for essential city vehicles—Mike and I stepped in. We prevented a financial and operational crisis because that’s what putting the community first looks like.

That’s leadership.

Not deferring to insiders.

Not repeating old mistakes.

But showing up, listening, and doing what’s right.

So yes—I’m supporting Mike Russo for Mayor. And I’m urging you to support Urtecho (1B), Magaña (2B), and Keeling (3B) for Council At-Large.

Most of all, I’m asking you to think about the kind of Hoboken we want to build. Thanks for listening.”

“I’m incredibly grateful for Councilman DeFusco’s endorsement, and I’m proud to have him on Team Russo,” said Michael Russo. “We’ve sat at contentious tables where he has always stood his ground and respectfully advocated for our position because it was in the residents’ best interest. It’s because of Mike’s relentlessly positive vision that our residents will have a European-style market in Warrington Plaza—and under a Russo administration, we will have Mike at the table to help bring it to life. I look forward to his insights over the years to come.”

Dr. Michael Russo was born and raised in Hoboken and has been serving the 3rd Ward of Hoboken as a City Council member for over 20 years. A graduate of Hoboken High School, Michael went on to earn his Bachelor of Science degree from Stockton University, Master of Science in Physical Therapy from Rutgers University (formerly UMDNJ), and Doctor of Physical Therapy from Utica College. Now, he’s running for Mayor in the December 2, 2025 Hoboken runoff election, with Liz Urtecho, Nicole Magaña, and Peter Keeling running alongside him for City Council At-Large. As always, residents are encouraged to email councilmanrusso@gmail.com with their feedback and learn more online at russoforhoboken.com.