If you had asked me 8 months ago who I was considering for Mayor, I would have said Beth Mason. Many other concerned residents who are taxpayers/renters and wanted to see change in the way the City of Hoboken operated back then saw Beth Mason as the best chance of making that happen.Beth Mason was the perennial odds on favorite at the time. This naturally begs the question of what happened to her campaign, that by the comments of some of her most fervent supporters seemed pre-ordained? What are some possible reasons for her losing in the first round and not making the runoff? I decided to start a list but please feel free to comment below:
- The B&R vote didn't come out as much as in the past. That is why my prediction of Dawn needing 12,000 votes was wrong since the more motivated voters were yuppie taxpayers. That is a change from the past.
- The B&R support she was counting on in her "diverse" ticket didn't back her but instead Peter Cammarano. Peter beat her in Church Square Towers.
- Her slate selection was a big turnoff to what used to be her natural base.
- She abandoned her base with comments about reform just being a marketing tool. Perhaps she was partially right in saying it but that turned off some progressives for sure.
- Her position on Church Square Towers was not aligned with the taxpayers who are footing the bill for such subsidies.
- She personally verbally attacked people when they didn't see eye to her on positions. I have heard many accounts of this (some of whom are her neighbors) as well as experienced it first hand.
- Her sudden pro PILOT stance and position on the NW Redevelopment area.
- The online alleged actions of some of her supporters in terms of negativity. Negativity was cast by supporters for all tickets on the online forums but some of the stuff from her supporters seemed to be by some lower than any election in recent memory.
- The "smear piece" on Peter Cammarano which her campaign officially denied having any part of.
The piece did contain some truths but the timing of the piece was to many very politically motivated.
- More awareness from taxpayers and taxpayers like Revolt and Lower Hoboken taxes. In 2005 these voters had yet to foot the bill and didn't have the motivation.
- She got bad advice and more importantly, listened to it.
- She endorsed in the 2008 BOE elections and did not endorse in 2009.
Add more below or comment on my points...
My comment: It is a shame it had to go down this way but Beth is her own person and she ran her campaign as she saw fit. I look forward to another two years (at least) of Beth Mason on the City Council to continue draft and get passed important resolutions that will benefit our City now and in the future. ◦
