Grist for the Mill: Vote buying making a comeback in Hoboken?
That is the burning question of Hoboken Election 2025 as polls are set to open tomorrow.
After a dormant period in recent years, where the most vulnerable population in Hoboken's housing authority were no longer exploited with criminal vote buying schemes, questions are again surfacing about the specter of Hoboken election fraud.
Is vote buying making a comeback in Hoboken?
The questions are being raised after a period of election quiet after Frank "Pupie" Raia was convicted and sent to prison for a vote buying scheme snaring him and a number of other soldiers operating out of his Jefferson St. social club back in 2019.
Some disturbing holiday festivities emerged last Tuesday prior to the Thanksgiving holiday and days before the Hoboken runoff election set for tomorrow.
The photos from the HHA's Adams Street location proved to be a veritable landmine as questions swirl on possible vote buying or at a minimum influencing operations utilizing $25 gift cards handed out to residents.
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| Doling out the loot to Hoboken Housing Authority residents prior to Thanksgiving and the Hoboken runoff election? Yes, that's Emily Jabbour joining in the fun last Tuesday, days before her mayoral run for Hoboken mayor. |
His charitable effort combined a turkey-gift card giveaway in November 2024 and the NJ State Senator followed up with a similar round of visits to residents of the Hoboken Housing Authority last week. Days earlier, Mukherji endorsed Emily Jabbour for Hoboken mayor.
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| Joe Quintero, up for re-election magically appeared at the Hoboken ShopRite gift card giveaway last Tuesday at the Adams St. HHA downtown. Another pre-election Hoboken Festivus miracle? |
The NJ State Senator's effort this year however was not solo and appeared more selective. Prominently appearing were two candidates who also happen to be on the Hoboken runoff ballot tomorrow: Emily Jabbour for mayor and Joe Quintero for City Council.
Opposition candidates, namely Councilman Michael Russo, who is running for mayor and his three council slate candidates were nowhere to be seen.
Another council member arrived late and witnessed the holiday festivities first hand. Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher stumbled upon it leading to some alleged sheepish looks from her council colleagues. Former Fisher council slate candidate Liz Urtecho is on the ballot Tuesday appearing on the competing Team Russo slate.
Who thought this was a good idea? Everyone and anyone yapping about the campaign has suddenly gotten a case of the yips and can't talk since the questions started going out. Nada word from the Jabbour campaign can be found. Emily? Emily? Pupie?
A day prior to the festivities at the HHA Adams Street building, Emily Jabbour posted this photo and holiday cheer message but no mention was made of $25 ShopRite gift cards being doled out.
Lo and behold, look at this happy gentleman on the left proudly displaying Emily Jabbour campaign materials at the ready for a "holiday" photo. Emily Jabbour herself is seen not a few feet away sporting a big smile.
Well Hoboken, this is the last Grist for the Mill rumor column for this election cycle. Good night and good luck.
Messages last week were left for NJ State Senator Raj Mukerji to discuss his visits to Hoboken but no response has been forthcoming.
Christian Duffy of the Jabbour Campaign was contacted by phone earlier today.
Councilman Joe Quintero was phoned and asked how this gift card handout came about earlier this afternoon.
Councilman Michael Russo was contacted last week for comment and asked if he had been invited to participate in any of these ShopRite Gift Card distributions but offered no reply.
Grist for the Mill is the Hoboken Election 2025 rumor column but it's beloved all across the Mile Square land.
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