Overview

Ravinder "Ravi" Singh Bhalla is a civil rights attorney and politician who has represented the 32nd Legislative District since January 2026. Prior to his election to the Assembly, Bhalla served as the 39th Mayor of Hoboken from 2018 to 2026, becoming the first Sikh American to serve as mayor of a New Jersey municipality. Before his mayoral tenure, he served on the Hoboken City Council from 2009 to 2018.

Born in Passaic and raised in Woodland Park, Bhalla pursued a career in civil rights law after earning his juris doctor, focusing on discrimination cases and religious liberty issues. He gained national prominence during his mayoral tenure for implementing Vision Zero traffic safety policies that eliminated traffic fatalities in Hoboken. He unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for New Jersey's 8th congressional district in 2024 before winning election to the State Assembly.

Political Career

Member, Hoboken City Council (2009–2018)

Mayor, City of Hoboken (January 1, 2018–January 13, 2026)

Candidate, Democratic primary for NJ-8th Congressional District (2024, unsuccessful)

Member, New Jersey General Assembly, District 32 (January 13, 2026–present)

Deputy Conference Leader, New Jersey General Assembly (2026–present)

Key Policy Areas

Transportation safety and Vision Zero initiatives

Climate action and environmental innovation

Housing affordability and tenant protections

Immigration enforcement limitations and sanctuary policies

Civil rights and religious liberty

Notable Actions / Initiatives

As Mayor of Hoboken, implemented Vision Zero plan that eliminated traffic fatalities and reduced injuries by 41% through speed limit reductions, bike lane expansion, and pedestrian safety measures

Established the first municipal Department of Climate Action and Innovation in New Jersey

Co-sponsored legislation (A-4302, 2026) imposing lifetime employment restrictions on former ICE agents who served during specific federal administration periods

Achieved 100% score from Human Rights Campaign's Municipal Equality Index for LGBTQIA+ policies during mayoral tenure

Served as lead counsel in significant civil rights cases involving religious discrimination and immigration enforcement

Education

University of California, Berkeley – Bachelor of Science in Political Psychology

London School of Economics and Political Science – Master of Public Administration and Public Policy

Tulane University Law School – Juris Doctor (1999)

Personal

Birth date: May 10, 1973

Residence: Hoboken, New Jersey