Michael Russo

The breakdown for all ward contests in Hoboken are as follows:

In Ward One, Councilwoman Theresa Castellano is facing a challenge from Ron Rosenberg.

In Ward Two, community activist Beth Mason and retired fire chief Richard Tremittiedi are vying for a seat now occupied by Richard Del Boccio, who is not running for re-election after 17 years on the governing body.

In Ward Three, Councilman Michael Russo is facing Frank "Pupie" Raia.

In Ward Four, Councilman Christopher Campos is running against Freddie Frazier, Anthony Mussara and Dawn Zimmer.

In Ward Five, Perry Belfiore, Peter Cunningham and Scott Delea are fighting to succeed Councilman Michael T. Cricco.

In Ward Six, Councilman Angelo "Nino" Giachhi faces a challenge from Thomas Foley and William Noonan.

When voters go to the polls on Tuesday, May 8, they will select representatives for six Hoboken City Council seats.

The terms in Hoboken are four years apiece.

All wards are contested. Two seats are open. Four council incumbents are supporting one another for re-election. Twelve challengers are also running. Although they’ve formed a political action committee, the incumbents insist it’s a "loose" alliance at best.

Hoboken Mayor David Roberts’ decision not to seek re-election to a third term in 2009 has created a war among candidates in six council races to be decided Tuesday, with all of the contestants either beating up the mayor -- or the mayor before him -- in a bid to ultimately be the next mayor or power player.

The vacuum at the top of the city is complicated by the impending retirement of District State Sen. Bernard Kenny, the Hudson County Democratic Chairman, who has been a long-time ally and go-to guy for Roberts.

Feeling the pressure from gadfly citizens who say the city has not completed important projects, a City Council presenting itself as equally outraged is pinning the blame on the mayor, who in turn is kicking himself for making the announcement last year that he wouldn’t be pursuing re-election.