Raj Bhakta
Encyclopedia
Raj Peter Bhakta is an entrepreneur and American public figure. Bhakta was a contestant on the second season of the reality show The Apprentice
. He won the Republican Party
's endorsement for the United States House of Representatives
in Pennsylvania's 13th congressional district
, but lost to incumbent Democrat
Allyson Schwartz
.
n father and Irish
mother, Bhakta moved from Northeast
Philadelphia's Oxford Circle
to Blue Bell
, Pennsylvania where he grew up. After graduating from The Hill School
in 1994, Raj Bhakta earned bachelor's degree
s in Economics
and History
with a concentration in Finance
from Boston College
in 1998.
. Bhakta went on to found Automovia, a firm focused on creating cutting edge technology related to the valuation of pre-owner vehicles. Thereafter, he led the Apex Vail redevelopment project in Vail, CO which resulted in an increase on property revenue by over 300%.
. Bhakta was remembered for his witty discourse and appreciation of the opposite sex, famously trying to take Anna Kournikova
and Donald Trump
's assistant on dates. Bhakta was fired by Trump on the ninth week of the show. His relations with the opposite sex subsequently became fodder for gossip columns such as New York Post
s Page Six and his frequent donning of bow ties has been credited with a revival in bow tie sales.
, an unpopular war in Iraq, a slowing economy.
Bhakta's judgment and fitness to lead were also called into question as a result of his multiple DUI
arrests which Bhakta attributed to youthful indiscretions.
, and using Homeland Security funds for crime prevention. Bhakta also blamed Mayor John Street
for failing to hire more police officers in the face of increasing murder rates in the city.
Bhakta often criticized Schwartz for refusing to debate during the campaign. Bhakta initially challenged Schwartz to twelve debates, six in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
and six in Northeast Philadelphia
as well as on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and the Northeast Times
, a local newspaper, also offered to host debates. However, Schwartz did not accept any debate invitations.
On October 10, 2006, Bhakta illustrated the ease of crossing the United States-Mexico border by riding an elephant along the border for ninety minutes with a six-man mariachi
band playing. Neither Bhakta, the elephant, nor the mariachi band broke the law by crossing the border, remaining on private property along the Rio Grande Texas
. Bhakta stated that he got the idea by seeing a Mexican illegally crossing the border by wading across the Rio Grande
. Bhakta had a camera to record the man's illegal crossing, and succeeded in getting the man detained by border authorities.
The demonstration garnered national attention for Bhakta's campaign. Bhakta was interviewed by Bill O'Reilly
, Rita Cosby
, Glenn Beck
, and John Gibson
. "This is not about the poor Mexican immigrant who wants to come for a better life that's the real problem here," Bhakta said. He added, "The border security is a joke and this is a creative and very effective way of showing it."
On November 7, 2006, the Philadelphia Daily News
reported that Bhakta's campaign made "stunning" automated campaign calls to homes in Northeast Philadelphia and Montgomery County detailing the charges in 18 lawsuits against the abortion clinic
founded by his opponent Allyson Schwartz.
, GoAmericaGo.
to raise grain for whiskey production. According to recent news reports in Colombia
and the US, he has begun importing a native Colombian drink, known locally as aguardiente
, to the US under the name of Petro.
The Apprentice (U.S. TV series)
The Apprentice is an American reality television show hosted by real estate magnate, businessman and television personality Donald Trump, created by Mark Burnett and broadcast on NBC...
. He won the Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
's endorsement for the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
in Pennsylvania's 13th congressional district
Pennsylvania's 13th congressional district
The 13th Congressional District of Pennsylvania is located in Southeastern Pennsylvania, covering eastern Montgomery County and Northeast Philadelphia. The district traditionally included most of Montgomery County, but was redrawn in 2002...
, but lost to incumbent Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Allyson Schwartz
Allyson Schwartz
Allyson Young Schwartz is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2005. She is a member of the Democratic Party. The district includes parts of Montgomery County and Northeast Philadelphia...
.
Upbringing and education
Born to an IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n father and Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
mother, Bhakta moved from Northeast
Northeast Philadelphia
Northeast Philadelphia, nicknamed Northeast Philly, the Northeast and the Great Northeast, is a section of the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. According to the 2000 Census, the Northeast has a sizable percentage of the city's 1.547 million people — a population of between 300,000 and 450,000,...
Philadelphia's Oxford Circle
Oxford Circle, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Oxford Circle is a neighborhood in the lower Northeast section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Its namesake is the much used traffic circle...
to Blue Bell
Blue Bell, Pennsylvania
Blue Bell is a census-designated place in Whitpain Township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, its population was 6,067....
, Pennsylvania where he grew up. After graduating from The Hill School
The Hill School
The Hill School is a preparatory boarding school for boys and girls located in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, about 35 miles northwest of Philadelphia....
in 1994, Raj Bhakta earned bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
s in Economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
and History
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
with a concentration in Finance
Finance
"Finance" is often defined simply as the management of money or “funds” management Modern finance, however, is a family of business activity that includes the origination, marketing, and management of cash and money surrogates through a variety of capital accounts, instruments, and markets created...
from Boston College
Boston College
Boston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early...
in 1998.
Business background
Bhakta began his career working at the investment banking firm of Violy & Co. in New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. Bhakta went on to found Automovia, a firm focused on creating cutting edge technology related to the valuation of pre-owner vehicles. Thereafter, he led the Apex Vail redevelopment project in Vail, CO which resulted in an increase on property revenue by over 300%.
The Apprentice
In the fall of 2004, Bhakta appeared on the second season of the business oriented reality television show, The ApprenticeThe Apprentice (U.S. TV series)
The Apprentice is an American reality television show hosted by real estate magnate, businessman and television personality Donald Trump, created by Mark Burnett and broadcast on NBC...
. Bhakta was remembered for his witty discourse and appreciation of the opposite sex, famously trying to take Anna Kournikova
Anna Kournikova
Anna Sergeyevna Kournikova is a Russian retired professional tennis player. Her beauty and celebrity status made her one of the best known tennis stars worldwide, despite the fact that she never won a WTA singles title. At the peak of her fame, fans looking for images of Kournikova made her name...
and Donald Trump
Donald Trump
Donald John Trump, Sr. is an American business magnate, television personality and author. He is the chairman and president of The Trump Organization and the founder of Trump Entertainment Resorts. Trump's extravagant lifestyle, outspoken manner and role on the NBC reality show The Apprentice have...
's assistant on dates. Bhakta was fired by Trump on the ninth week of the show. His relations with the opposite sex subsequently became fodder for gossip columns such as New York Post
New York Post
The New York Post is the 13th-oldest newspaper published in the United States and is generally acknowledged as the oldest to have been published continuously as a daily, although – as is the case with most other papers – its publication has been periodically interrupted by labor actions...
s Page Six and his frequent donning of bow ties has been credited with a revival in bow tie sales.
Political engagement and commentary
After appearing on the Apprentice, Bhakta utilized his public platform to support social security reform in meetings with Congressional leadership. Bhakta was also a frequent guest on MSNBC and Fox News and appreared on CNN's Crossfire.2006 Congressional campaign
According to Tom Ellis, the Republican chairman of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, Bhakta was a "breath of fresh air" and someone who would be in politics "for a long time" to the Montgomery County GOP. Fighting against a well-financed incubent, Bhakta received over 78,000 votes. and raised more than $480,000. Bhakta's campaign generated significant national media attention as a consequence of Bhakta's background on the "Apprentice," his attention-getting campaign maneuvers and his reputation as a bon vivant.Campaign challenges
Bhakta struggled during the 2006 campaign against a powerful anti-GOP tide fueled by the unpopular presidency of George W. BushGeorge W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
, an unpopular war in Iraq, a slowing economy.
Bhakta's judgment and fitness to lead were also called into question as a result of his multiple DUI
DUI
DUI is a three letter acronym that may stand for:* Driving under the influence * Democratic Union for Integration — the largest ethnic Albanian party in the Republic of Macedonia* Data Use Identifier...
arrests which Bhakta attributed to youthful indiscretions.
Campaign issues: crime in Philadelphia, border security, and media attention
Bhakta made law and order a focus of his campaign in Northeast Philadelphia. Following reports of heightened crime in the city, Bhakta laid out a position offering more police on the streets, halting or eliminating Section 8Section 8
Section 8 or Section Eight may refer to:*Section 8 , a United States military form of discharge due to mental illness and/or problems*Section 8 , a U.S...
, and using Homeland Security funds for crime prevention. Bhakta also blamed Mayor John Street
John F. Street
John Franklin Street was the 97th Mayor of the City of Philadelphia. He was first elected to a term beginning on January 3, 2000, and was re-elected to a second term beginning in 2004...
for failing to hire more police officers in the face of increasing murder rates in the city.
Bhakta often criticized Schwartz for refusing to debate during the campaign. Bhakta initially challenged Schwartz to twelve debates, six in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Montgomery County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of 2010, the population was 799,874, making it the third most populous county in Pennsylvania . The county seat is Norristown.The county was created on September 10, 1784, out of land originally part...
and six in Northeast Philadelphia
Northeast Philadelphia
Northeast Philadelphia, nicknamed Northeast Philly, the Northeast and the Great Northeast, is a section of the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. According to the 2000 Census, the Northeast has a sizable percentage of the city's 1.547 million people — a population of between 300,000 and 450,000,...
as well as on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and the Northeast Times
Northeast Times
The Northeast Times is an American newspaper, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that primarily targets the Northeast Philadelphia community. After being owned by The Philadelphia Inquirer parent company, it was sold to a newly formed company, Broad Street Media.-External links:* *...
, a local newspaper, also offered to host debates. However, Schwartz did not accept any debate invitations.
On October 10, 2006, Bhakta illustrated the ease of crossing the United States-Mexico border by riding an elephant along the border for ninety minutes with a six-man mariachi
Mariachi
Mariachi is a genre of music that originated in the State of Jalisco, in Mexico. It is an integration of stringed instruments highly influenced by the cultural impacts of the historical development of Western Mexico. Throughout the history of mariachi, musicians have experimented with brass, wind,...
band playing. Neither Bhakta, the elephant, nor the mariachi band broke the law by crossing the border, remaining on private property along the Rio Grande Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. Bhakta stated that he got the idea by seeing a Mexican illegally crossing the border by wading across the Rio Grande
Rio Grande
The Rio Grande is a river that flows from southwestern Colorado in the United States to the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way it forms part of the Mexico – United States border. Its length varies as its course changes...
. Bhakta had a camera to record the man's illegal crossing, and succeeded in getting the man detained by border authorities.
The demonstration garnered national attention for Bhakta's campaign. Bhakta was interviewed by Bill O'Reilly
Bill O'Reilly (commentator)
William James "Bill" O'Reilly, Jr. is an American television host, author, syndicated columnist and political commentator. He is the host of the political commentary program The O'Reilly Factor on the Fox News Channel, which is the most watched cable news television program on American television...
, Rita Cosby
Rita Cosby
Rita Cosby is a television news anchor and correspondent, radio host, and best selling author. She is currently a Special Correspondent for the CBS syndicated program Inside Edition, specializing in interviewing newsmakers and political figures...
, Glenn Beck
Glenn Beck
Glenn Edward Lee Beck is an American conservative radio host, vlogger, author, entrepreneur, political commentator and former television host. He hosts the Glenn Beck Program, a nationally syndicated talk-radio show that airs throughout the United States on Premiere Radio Networks...
, and John Gibson
John Gibson (media host)
John David Gibson is an American radio talk show host. As of September 2008, he hosts the syndicated radio program The John Gibson Show on Fox News Radio. Gibson was formerly the co-host of the weekday edition of The Big Story on the Fox News television channel.-Early career:Gibson earned a BA...
. "This is not about the poor Mexican immigrant who wants to come for a better life that's the real problem here," Bhakta said. He added, "The border security is a joke and this is a creative and very effective way of showing it."
On November 7, 2006, the Philadelphia Daily News
Philadelphia Daily News
The Philadelphia Daily News is a tabloid newspaper that serves Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. The newspaper is owned by Philadelphia Media Holdings which also owns Philadelphia's other major newspaper The Philadelphia Inquirer. The Daily News began publishing on March 31, 1925, under...
reported that Bhakta's campaign made "stunning" automated campaign calls to homes in Northeast Philadelphia and Montgomery County detailing the charges in 18 lawsuits against the abortion clinic
Abortion clinic
An abortion clinic is a medical facility that primarily performs or specializes in abortions. Such clinics may be public medical centers or private medical practices.-Canada:*There were 197 abortion providers in Canada in 2001....
founded by his opponent Allyson Schwartz.
GoAmericaGo
After the Congressional race, Bhakta traveled widely in Asia - a trip he credits with reaffirming his concern with the challenges facing America's long-term global position as the world's foremost economic power. "Raj feels that the United States is losing its preeminence more quickly than most realize, requiring urgent economic and diplomatic reforms." To that end, he started a blogBlog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
, GoAmericaGo.
Current business initiatives
In 2010 Bhakta founded WhistlePig Whiskey, a small batch producer of rye whiskey, and has purchased an organic farm in VermontVermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
to raise grain for whiskey production. According to recent news reports in Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
and the US, he has begun importing a native Colombian drink, known locally as aguardiente
Aguardiente
Aguardiente , aiguardent , aguardente , and augardente are generic terms for alcoholic beverages that contain between 29% and 60% alcohol by volume...
, to the US under the name of Petro.