PATERSON – Denied reelection in a controversial case, former Paterson Ward 2 Councilman Mohammed Akhtaruzzaman will run next year for an at-large council seat, he told InsiderNJ tonight at a Phil Murphy Town Hall event at Passaic Valley Community College.

Challenger Shahin Khalique beat Akhtaruzzaman by 20 votes in the 2016 ward election, and managed to stave off court challenges by the defeated incumbent.

But now the former Ward 2 leader wants to go citywide.

He wasn’t the only at-large hopeful present in the gym at Murphy’s event. Dr. Lilisa Mimms, a Board of Ed member, also roamed the crowd.

Incumbent At-Large Councilwoman Maritza Davila sat at the front of the room with Murphy and state Senator Nellie Pou (D-35).