Bhalla Withdraws Assembly Candidacy

Councilman Ravi Bhalla will not be running for State Assembly.

The councilman-at-large announced his decision on Wednesday in a press release.

"My decision is driven by yesterday's refusal by the New Jersey Supreme Court to consider a challenge to Hoboken Housing Authority (HHA) Director Carmelo Garcia's candidacy to serve in the State Assembly, while simultaneously serving as Executive Director of the HHA," Bhalla wrote. "As a result, it is not prudent to expend substantial resources in continuing my candidacy now."

Garcia was sued last month by five Hobokenites challenging the legality of his candidacy. While Assignment Judge Peter Bariso ruled last month that — under the Hatch Act — Garcia was not eligible to run for public partisan office, Garcia won in an appeal and is back on the ballot.

"At a minimum, Director Garcia's candidacy is a blatant violation of the spirit of both federal and state laws intended to address the kind of conflict of interest represented by Mr. Garcia's candidacy," Bhalla said. "It is obvious that Mr. Garcia will not be able to perform his responsibilities as a highly compensated full time federal housing authority Executive Director while also performing his time legislative duties as an Assemblyman, duties which will often require that he be in Trenton during the working day."

Garcia said he was happy with the court's decision, saying he felt vindicated.

Garcia was picked by State Senator and Union City Mayor Brian Stack to run for the office of 33rd District Assemblyman on the Hudson County Democratic Organization line. Ruben Ramos Jr., the current assemblyman who will not seek re-election because he's running for mayor of Hoboken, endorsed Garcia and the rest of the ticket.

As state assemblyman, Garcia will receive an annual salary of $49,000. As HHA Director he earns $157,000.

Bhalla is up for re-election on the city council this November.