Jersey City Council President Joyce Watterman is backing Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla for Congress in the 8th District, where he’s seeking to unseat U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Today, I endorse Ravi Bhalla for Congress because I believe in him. As mayor of Hoboken, Ravi has delivered for his community. From taking on the crisis of affordability to ensuring that our most vulnerable residents are taken care of, Congress would benefit a great deal from Ravi’s leadership,” Watterman said in a statement.
“And throughout his time as a public servant – first as a city council member and then as mayor – Ravi has provided a strong and consistent voice against hatred, racism and discrimination in all its forms. He is the kind of representative we need in our corner, which is why he has my full and enthusiastic support.”
Watterman, a declared candidate for mayor in 2025 joins her colleague, Ward E Councilman James Solomon, in supporting the Hoboken mayor, breaking from the Hudson County Democratic Organization’s endorsement of Menendez.
This is the second time this year that Watterman has went against the local Democratic party, supporting U.S. Rep. Andy Kim’s (D-3) bid for U.S. Senate in January, long before First Lady Tammy Murphy dropped out of the race.
“I am incredibly grateful to have the support of Jersey City Council President Joyce Watterman. A leader in Hudson County, Council President Watterman represents the best of public service across all of New Jersey,” Bhalla added.
“From her time as a non-profit leader supporting children and families to her advocacy in support of criminal justice reform programs to ensure that all of us are treated fairly by the law, Council President Watterman has helped lead Jersey City forward/ I am pleased to have her support. Together, we’re going to offer the voters of New Jersey’s 8th congressional district a better choice.”
Bhalla and Menendez are in a slugfest that is only expected to intensify as the June 4th primary gets closer, with a third candidate, Kyle Jasey, also in the race.