Council President Jen Giattino is expected to get in the race to succeed Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer, who’s not running for reelection.

Zimmer backed Councilman Ravi Bhalla for mayor, irritating Giattino, who also represents the reformer wing of the Hoboken population.

A Republican, Giattino has a fierce base and could hurt Bhalla, just as the expected entry into the contest of Freeholder Anthony “Stick” Romano could impair Councilman Mike DeFusco, who – like Bhalla – is already a declared candidate for mayor.