In a first, New Jersey town elects Sikh as Mayor

In a first, Hoboken, a town in New Jersey along the Hudson River, elected its first Sikh mayor.

Ravinder Bhalla won the elections two days after pamphlets did the rounds that labelled him a terrorist, US media reported.

Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer decided not to run for re-election in June. She had endorsed Bhalla, an Indian-American born in New Jersey, to take her place.

Thank you Hoboken. I look forward to being your Mayor! #TeamBhalla #FinishedStrong pic.twitter.com/UKPuXkDWGX

— Ravinder S. Bhalla (@RaviBhalla) November 8, 2017

Bhalla tweeted about the flyers. They read “Don’t let TERRORISM take over our Town!” over a picture of Bhalla.

Yesterday, a flyer w/ word “terrorist” above a pic of me was circulated in Hob. Of course this is troubling, but we won’t let hate win. pic.twitter.com/Ri9xrYF4Al

— Ravinder S. Bhalla (@RaviBhalla) November 4, 2017