New Jersey: Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla has officially entered the race for the New Jersey State Assembly in the 32nd Legislative District, describing his candidacy as an opportunity to bring effective, results-driven leadership to Trenton. Bhalla emphasized his commitment to tackling climate change, housing affordability, and traffic safety—priorities he championed as mayor of Hoboken, as reported by New Jersey Globe.
“As a two-term mayor, I believe Trenton needs more leaders who get things done,” Bhalla said in a statement shared by Jersey City Times. “In the State Assembly, I will fight to ensure that New Jersey leads the way on curbing traffic fatalities, addressing climate change, and alleviating the housing crisis impacting residents in Jersey City, Hoboken, and beyond.”
Bhalla’s tenure in Hoboken has been marked by several transformative achievements. According to Jersey City Times, he implemented the Vision Zero program, which reduced pedestrian fatalities, and established a Department of Climate Action & Innovation, positioning Hoboken as a leader in sustainability. The city earned an “A” rating from the nonprofit CDP for climate initiatives and received perfect scores for seven consecutive years on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index, recognizing its LGBTQIA+ inclusivity.
If elected, Bhalla would make history as the first Sikh American to serve in the New Jersey Legislature. He holds degrees from the University of California, Berkeley, the London School of Economics, and Tulane University.
Bhalla framed his campaign as a continuation of his progressive advocacy. “With the federal government gridlocked, states and cities are the laboratories of democracy,” he said, reiterating his opposition to NJ Transit fare hikes, Turnpike expansion, and the commercialization of Liberty State Park.
