Bhalla’s Bid For Congress Gains Momentum With Fundraiser

By Diya Mathews

PISCATAWAY, NJ – On May 7, the New Jersey community rallied around Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla in a spirited fundraiser as he vies for a seat in Congress representing the eighth district of New Jersey.

The event, held at Deewan banquet hall, was a testament to the widespread support the Democrat enjoys, with prominent community figures such as Rippi Karda, Navneet Chugh, Kamal and Iqleen Virdi, Gary Pasricha, and Dilpreet Rai among the hosts.

Addressing the attendees, Bhalla emphasized the importance of fair elections, stating, “Our elections in the 8th district are coronations instead of elections. I am running to give voters a chance to vote for a qualified candidate with a track record of accomplishment. I wasn’t born on third base with a powerful last name. Like the hardworking people of the 8th district, I earned everything I have achieved.”

The momentum behind the campaign was underscored by a recent super PAC-commissioned poll, which showed him to have a five-point lead over Rob Menendez, the incumbent seeking re-election despite the challenges posed by his father’s federal indictment for corruption – Senator Bob Menendez.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Bhalla served eight years on the Hoboken City Council before becoming Mayor in November 2017, and numbers show that his message of inclusivity and hard work is resonating with voters.

If successful in his bid, Bhalla would make history as the first-ever turbaned Sikh to serve in Congress.

Ravi has a B.A. in political psychology from the University of California, Berkeley, an M.Sc. in public administration from the London School of Economics, and a J.D. from Tulane Law School. He resides in Hoboken with wife Bindya and their two children, Arza and Shabegh.