Rep. Menendez Reacts To Hoboken Mayor Bhalla's Plan To Run Against Him

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — After Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla made his official announcement Tuesday that he will challenge Rep. Rob Menendez for Congress in 2024, Menendez had a new round of responses.

Bhalla had actually confirmed back in October that he was considering taking on Menendez, a relative newcomer to Congress.

Last week, the county's Democratic organization announced that it would endorse Menendez, and Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop responded with a statement saying he will not.

After these battle lines were drawn, Bhalla made a formal announcement Tuesday morning that he will run, including a video introducing himself.

If Bhalla wins, he will have to leave the mayor's seat, spurring yet another possibly contentious election in Hoboken.

Later, Menendez issued a statement in response, touting his record, and including a jibe.

Menendez said:

"Since day one, I have been singularly focused on delivering for the people I have the honor to serve, closing over 1,100 constituent cases and helping to bring over $11 billion in federal funding back to the 8th Congressional District. I’ve fought Republican extremism to stand up for women’s reproductive rights, to make our streets safer from senseless gun violence and to protect and expand affordable childcare. That’s why I’m proud of the deep support and trust from leaders and residents from across the district for our re-election.

"I welcome Ravi into the race especially since he can validate the work we’ve done on behalf of the residents of Hoboken including advocating for the expansion of the Southwest Resiliency Park, supporting Safe Streets for All grants for Hoboken, battling helicopter noise, and introducing the Local Solutions to End Homelessness Act to benefit Hoboken and Hudson County.

"While we have advocated tirelessly for Hoboken, it seems the only reason Ravi has entered the race after endorsing me in 2022 and publicly applauding our work this year is because a week after losing control of the City Council, he sees no political future for himself in Hoboken.”

Menendez made reference to a recent Hoboken City Council runoff election, in which Bhalla and his four council allies threw their considerable political weight, and some money, behind one candidate and still couldn't get him elected against a candidate supported by independents. The new councilman has the potential to be a swing vote for or against Bhalla's initiatives.

However, Bhalla had made his intent to run clear well before the runoff, which was held Dec. 5.

Want to know more about Menendez and Bhalla? Read local news. Check out these political stories in Hoboken and Jersey City.

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