The Hudson County Democratic Organization’s (HCDO) political smear campaign has begun. I’ve been communicating my solutions to the Third Ward’s problems in my literature. My opponent however, along with his puppet Ron Rosenberg, with the help of the Mayor and the HCDO’s hatchet men have been focused on personal attacks on me and my family.

For those of you that take the time to read the Hoboken Reporter, you may have noticed a bias in its reporting. For instance, in last week’s issue they described my opponent as a member of the Sewage Authority when in fact the Mayor had him removed last year. In the same article they interjected old news about my father in an attempt to sway public opinion. In addition, an ad paid for by my opponent uses scare tactics which play on the fears of our senior citizens.

Perhaps, this is because my opponent will spend approximately $25,000 purchasing ad space in the Reporter while I will not spend one cent!!

In the same issue the Mayor, using funds from the Hoboken Democratic Organization, in a full-page ad accused me of trying to seize control of the city by running my own council slate. As a member of the Hoboken Democratic Organization I’m asking the Mayor to tell us who approved using the organization’s funds in a non-partisan election. This is another attempt by him to circumvent the Pay-to-Play law of the city.

I’m flattered by the Mayor’s attempt to position me as the new leader of the anti-administration faction, when in fact his former council supporters left him because of his inability to lead.

My commitment to you is unwavering. I’ll continue to fight the Roberts/Raia political machine to ensure that your voice is heard in City Hall.

Sincerely,

Michael Russo