Ravi Bhalla has been the mayor of Hoboken since 2017, and now, he’s announced he’s taking the next step in his political career. This morning, Mayor Bhalla announced that is running for Congress in New Jersey’s 8th Congressional District in the Democratic Primary. His opponent will be Democrat Rob Menedez, son of Senator Bob Menendez. Below is a press release from his team announcing his candidacy for Congress.
The Details
Ravi Bhalla was first elected as the mayor of Hoboken in 2017, and then was reelected in 2021, unopposed. He also served on the Hoboken City Council from 2010 to 2017.
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See the full press release below from Mayor Bhalla below:
“Ravi Bhalla Announces His Candidacy for Congress in NJ’s 8th District
Mayor of Hoboken Ravi Bhalla today announced his candidacy for Congress in NJ’s 8th District. He will be running in the Democratic Primary. Ravi brings to the contest an inspiring life story that exemplifies the promise of America, impressive, earned accomplishments and a track record as mayor of getting the job done on issues that matter to people.
“We are at a pivotal moment in our nation, facing rising sea levels, rising inequality and rising hatred,” said Ravi Bhalla. “For Congress to rise to the challenge, we need new voices and new leadership—leadership that is focused on making real progress on solving problems and ensuring that all New Jerseyans and Americans no matter their skin color, ethnicity, gender, whom they choose to love, or where they started in life can still realize the American Dream.”
Ravi continued, “As our Congressman, I will fight to make healthcare a right for everyone, take on climate change, protect a woman’s right to choose, battle back against hatred, and build an economy that works for all.”
One of only 22 elected officials selected by the US Department of State to serve on an inaugural Assembly of Local Leaders (ALL) to address “global challenges that effect local communities,” Bhalla recently participated in COP28, the UN Climate Summit, held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. “The climate crisis is not a predetermined catastrophe, but a challenge we can and must meet,” said Ravi.
Elected mayor of Hoboken in 2017 and re-elected in 2021, Ravi Bhalla’s innovative leadership, dedication and management skills are moving Hoboken forward. Under his leadership, the city is becoming more resilient and prepared to withstand the impacts of climate change and leading the way in taking on Big Oil, becoming the first city in New Jersey to file suit to hold these large corporations accountable for the high costs generated by global warming. This set an example that many other cities and the State of New Jersey have followed.
As mayor, Ravi oversaw the design, creation and opening of ResilienCity Park, one of the largest resiliency parks in the country, and has planned for the creation of three additional resiliency parks, all designed with infrastructure to combat flooding. These parks are also expanding active recreation options and creating more open space, boosting quality of life.
He launched Hoboken’s Vision Zero pedestrian safety initiative, making Hoboken a safer place to walk, bike and drive. This initiative was lauded by U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg as a nation-wide model. For 6 straight years with Ravi at the helm, Hoboken has received a perfect 100% score from the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) Municipal Equality Index (MEI) for its LGBTQIA+ inclusive policies and laws.
Ravi served on the Hoboken City Council from 2010 to 2017, serving as Council President for part of his tenure. Nationally recognized for his work as a civil rights attorney, Ravi led a successful campaign to reform the federal government’s visitation policies at correctional facilities nationwide.
He graduated from the University of California at Berkeley, received a Master’s Degree from the London School of Economics and earned his law degree at Tulane Law School. He and his wife Bindya live in Hoboken with their two children, Arza Kaur, age 16, and Shabegh Singh, age 11. The son of immigrants who came to the United States from India to work hard, pursue opportunity, and practice their Sikh faith in peace, Ravi was born and raised in New Jersey. If elected, Ravi Bhalla would be the first ever turbanned Sikh member of the United States Congress.”
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