Bhalla Announces His Candidacy for Congress in NJ’s 8th District
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.
A link to Ravi’s announcement video is provided here: https://youtu.be/NfpcyJL2mQA and the script can be found below: The campaign website: http://www.bhallafornj.com
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RAVI, Voiceover] This… is a story about a Jersey kid.
Who grew up not looking like all the other Jersey kids.
[RAVI, Direct to Camera] My parents came here from India to work hard and honestly, with only the promise of opportunity.
And to practice our Sikh faith in a country where it is self-evident that all of us are created equal.
But that didn’t stop the schoolyard bullies from hurling insults or tugging on my hair.
I fought back. The only way I knew how.
On the diamond.
And the court.
When my baseball helmet wouldn’t slide over my patka…
My coach modified one that would fit me on the field.
He knew our team was stronger when each of us could play.
In the courtroom, I fought barriers to access and for those who faced discrimination.
Hate has many faces.
But all are cowardly and familiar.
[Anchor: “A racist flier in Hoboken.”]
[Anchor 2: “A candidate for mayor labeled a terrorist on a leaflet.”]
On the city council, I helped clean up a city suffering from graft and mismanagement.
And my first act as mayor was to declare Hoboken a welcome city for all.
But with rising inequality and climbing sea levels…
This moment requires change that is momentous.
I believe that health care is a human right.
Housing is a human right.
Reproductive rights… are human rights.
The climate crisis is not a predetermined catastrophe, but a challenge we can and must meet.
My name is Ravi Bhalla.
As mayor I tackled these problems head on.
[Newscaster: “A new renewable energy program in Hoboken, Mayor Ravi Bhalla says it will allow residents to get more of their energy from green sources.”]
Now, I’m running for Congress in New Jersey’s 8th Congressional District…
…because I believe that America is better than the demagogues who seek to divide us…
… or the politicians who strive only to serve themselves.
I believe in the idea of America that my parents came to with seven dollars to their name… and dreams that anything was possible.
Where an immigrant story is the American story.
And where this Jersey kid…
….Can be proud to raise some Jersey kids of his own.
To work towards a brighter future for them. And for you.
