Councilman Bhalla Endorses Basso for State Assembly

Less than a month since withdrawing from the New Jersey State Assembly race, Hoboken Councilman-at-large Ravi Bhalla has thrown his support behind Jersey City resident Peter Basso, according to a statement from the Basso camp.

“I want to express my strong support for Peter Basso to represent the 33rd Legislative District,” Bhalla said. “Our district needs legislators who are competent, honest, sincere, qualified and have the time and energy to serve constituents. Peter is all of that and more."

In Tuesday's primary, Basso, a civil rights attorney who is running independently, faces a crowded Democratic field that includes Hudson County Democratic Organization-backed candidates Carmelo Garcia and Raj Mukherji, and "Democrats for Change" candidates John Hilt IV and Anthony Mills.

The five Democratic candidates are competing for two open seats in District 33, which encompasses Hoboken, Union City, Weehawken and northern neighborhoods in Jersey City.

Bhalla, who is up for re-election to the city council in November, praised Basso, the former President of the Washington Park Association and current officer of the Jersey City Parks Coalition, as an advocate for open space.

"Peter is someone you can trust to serve your interests and place them above all else," he said. "It takes courage to stand up against politics as usual in Hudson County. Peter’s candidacy is something we should all support and be proud of because he is giving us a choice.”

Bhalla had originally hoped to provide that choice for voters, but withdrew himself from Assembly consideration after an . 

"It is not prudent to expend substantial resources in continuing my candidacy now," said Bhalla, who criticized the court's decision and called Garcia's candidacy a conflict of interest.