Ron Bautista Launches Campaign for Hudson County Commissioner

Community advocate and former undocumented immigrant launches campaign to packed house, looks to continue progressive wave in Hudson County

Hoboken, NJ — Today, Ron Bautista, a longtime community advocate for safe streets and tenants’ rights, officially launched his campaign for Hudson County Commissioner in District 5 before a packed house at the Waiting Room in downtown Hoboken. Pledging to put the people of Hudson County over political insiders and special interests, Bautista looks to build on the recent wave of progressive wins in Hudson County.

"My father taught me to ask three questions about any policy or politician: Does it make sense? Does it bring out the best in people? Does it make things fair?" said Ron Bautista. "When I look at our county government right now and ask those questions, it fails on every measure. I'm running to change that."

Bautista came to Hoboken as an undocumented immigrant when he was 12-years-old. His family fled Ecuador after the country’s economy collapsed due to rampant political corruption and fraud. After he received his green card, he became active in his community, organizing with his neighbors around safe streets, affordable homes, and immigrants’ rights.

"Once I got my green card, it was my green light to be an advocate, to stand up for the issues that I believe in, and to fight for real change," Bautista said. "But we shouldn't have to organize and fight back every single time. County government has real power, and we deserve so much more from it."

Bautista’s platform centers on building affordable homes on county-owned land, free community college, and making streets safe for everyone. "We need complete streets that are safe to cross whether you're 7, like my daughter, or 70, like my mom," Bautista said.

Bautista lives in Hoboken with his two daughters. He draws inspiration for public service from his family, viewing them as a reflection of whether local government truly welcomes people of all incomes, ages, and abilities.

# # #

About Ron Bautista

Ron Bautista is a community advocate in Hoboken and Jersey City, and the progressive choice  for Hudson County Commissioner — District 5. As a founding member of Bike Hoboken and member of the Hoboken Vision Zero Task Force since 2019, Bautista helped pass complete streets policies that contributed to zero traffic deaths in Hoboken over the past eight years. He has also stood with tenants fighting corporate landlords in both Hoboken and Jersey City, including helping defeat a 2024 referendum that would have weakened rent control protections in the city.