New Jersey, Nov 10 (IBNS): Ravi Bhalla has been elected as the first Sikh mayor of New Jersey in the United States, media reports said.
The election took place as the two-term mayor Dawn Zimmer had resigned this summer.
Bhalla defeated five opponents to win the mayoral election in the city, first by any Sikh person.
After sealing the victory, Bhalla told media: "Thank you for having faith in me, for having faith in our community, faith in our state, and faith in our country; this is what America is all about."
"Now is the time we come together and see who we can work with to bring this city forward.," the mayor-elect added.
The mayor even tweeted later to say: "Thank you Hoboken. I look forward to being your Mayor!"
Thank you Hoboken. I look forward to being your Mayor! #TeamBhalla #FinishedStrong pic.twitter.com/UKPuXkDWGX
— Ravinder S. Bhalla (@RaviBhalla) November 8, 2017
Bhalla is the second Sikh person to become a mayor in the US. Earlier, Satyendra Huja served as the mayor of Charlottesville, Virginia between 2012 and 2016.
Ravinder Singh Bhalla, also known as Ravi Bhalla, an Indian-American man, is a civil rights lawyer and a politician who served in the city council of Hoboken, New Jersey since 2009.
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