Ravi Bhalla

Ravi Bhalla is an American attorney and politician serving as the 39th Mayor of Hoboken since 2018. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served on the Hoboken City Council from 2009 to 2018. Bhalla is the first Sikh American to be elected mayor of a municipality in New Jersey.

Early life and education

Ravi Bhalla was born on April 15, 1973, in Jersey City, to parents who emigrated from India. He was raised in the nearby town of North Bergen. Bhalla earned his Bachelor of Arts in political science from Tulane University in 1995. He remained at Tulane to attend Tulane University Law School, receiving his Juris Doctor in 1998.

Legal career

After law school, Bhalla served as a judicial law clerk for Judge Jose L. Linares of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. He then practiced law at the firm McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter, focusing on complex litigation and labor law. In 2005, he joined the firm Florio Perrucci Steinhardt Cappelli Tipton & Taylor, where he became a partner, representing public entities and private clients in matters involving civil rights, employment law, and municipal law.

Political career

Bhalla's political career began with his election to an at-large seat on the Hoboken City Council in 2009, where he served three terms. As a councilman, he was a key ally of Mayor Dawn Zimmer, focusing on issues of government transparency, flood mitigation, and affordable housing. He chaired the council's Revenue and Finance Committee and served as the council president from 2013 to 2015. In 2017, he announced his candidacy for mayor following Zimmer's decision not to seek re-election.

Mayor of Hoboken

Ravi Bhalla was elected Mayor of Hoboken in November 2017 and took office on January 1, 2018. His administration has prioritized climate resilience, launching the Rebuild by Design project for flood protection and advancing the Northwest Resiliency Park. He has overseen significant investments in public infrastructure, including park renovations and road repaving. Bhalla has also focused on public safety, expanding the Hoboken Police Department and implementing community policing initiatives. In 2021, he was re-elected to a second term, defeating a challenge from councilwoman Vanessa Falco.

Electoral history

In the 2017 Hoboken mayoral election, Bhalla emerged victorious in a crowded, non-partisan field that included council members Michael DeFusco and Jennifer Giattino. He won with approximately 33% of the vote. During the campaign, he was the target of flyers attacking his Sikh faith, which drew condemnation from figures like Cory Booker and Phil Murphy. In the 2021 election, he defeated Vanessa Falco with about 63% of the vote, securing a second term. Bhalla was also the Democratic nominee for New Jersey's 8th congressional district in 2006, losing to incumbent Bill Pascrell in the primary.

Personal life

Bhalla lives in Hoboken with his wife, Bindya, and their two children. He is a practicing Sikh and wears a dastar (turban). He has been active in interfaith dialogue and advocacy against hate crimes and religious discrimination. Bhalla serves on the board of the Hoboken Family Alliance and is a member of the Hoboken Rotary Club.