Dear Editor:
First, I want to congratulate the winners, and all the candidates, in last week’s municipal elections. These are challenging times, and I thank you for your service to our community.
I write to announce my candidacy to serve as a Member of the General Assembly in the 33rd Legislative District of New Jersey. The election is on June 7 and the 33rd Legislative District is comprised of Hoboken, Weehawken, Union City, and a substantial portion of downtown Jersey City.
The current Assemblypersons representing the 33rd District are Ruben Ramos and Caridad Rodriguez, who is not seeking re-election. In addition to incumbent Assemblyman Ramos, the other two candidates are Sean Connors and myself. You can vote for 2 out of the 3 candidates, and you can vote for any combination of candidates.
I am running for State Assembly because as a local elected official, I understand the direct correlation between the ability to achieve real change here in Hoboken, such as property tax relief, and the decisions our legislators make in Trenton. As an attorney-at-law, I have also seen how the rights of average citizens, such as employees in the workplace, and healthcare for working families and seniors, are impacted by the decisions of our state legislators in Trenton. Hoboken needs qualified and talented public servants representing our interests both here at home and in our state capitol.
I am also running for Assembly because I want to provide voters in Hoboken and the entire district a real alternative to the politics as usual in Hudson County. Important decisions such as who will represent you in Trenton are not made at the ballot box, but rather, they are made behind closed doors by power brokers outside of Hoboken. I believe voters should be provided a real choice, which also drives my candidacy for State Assembly.
Remember, in this election on June 7, you can vote for 2 out of the 3 candidates running for State Assembly. I respectfully ask that you cast one of your votes for me on June 7. If elected, I promise to truly represent the interests of Hoboken’s residents, not those of the local party machine.
Sincerely,
Ravi S. Bhalla
Candidate, General Assembly
33rd Legislative District