Building Political Power from the Ground Up:
Sikh-American Leadership Within the Broader Indian-American Political Landscape
Los Angeles/ Jan 20, 2026
NRIpress.club/Ramesh/ A.Gary Singh/ Anantdeep Singh
Political participation among Indian-Americans in the United States has moved beyond symbolic milestones and entered a phase defined by continuity, governance, and institutional presence. Within this broader trajectory, Sikh-Americans have emerged as one of the most visible and organized sub-communities in public office, particularly at the state and local levels. Together, these developments signal a maturation of diaspora politics—one rooted not only in representation, but in sustained civic power.
While national elections for Congress and the presidency occur in even-numbered years, off-cycle years such as 2025 play a crucial role in shaping long-term political infrastructure. These years often determine whether emerging representation translates into durable influence. In 2025, Sikh-American political progress was characterized by a combination of incumbency, strategic transitions, and late-year electoral breakthroughs that set the stage for the 2026 cycle.
|
Balvir Singh, at the state level, served throughout 2025 as an incumbent member of the New Jersey General Assembly.
- Singh was first sworn into office in early 2024 after winning a special election, becoming the first Sikh to serve in the New Jersey Legislature.
- By 2025, his role had shifted from historic entry to active governance, reflecting a broader trend within Indian-American politics: moving from “firsts” toward legislative experience, policy engagement, and institutional credibility.
|
 |
Gurbir Grewal purely a prosecutorial lawyer and not a polician Served as Chief, Economic Crimes Unit: February 2014 – Present at United States Attorney's Office, District of New Jersey.
- Served as Deputy Chief, Economic Crimes Unit and Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property Section: July 2013 – February 2014, at United States Attorney's Office, District of New Jersey.
- Served as chief of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark , was nominated by Governor Christie in 2013...Read More
|
 |
Harmeet Dhillon Appointed as Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division on Apr 03, 2025. She is a nationally recognized lawyer, trusted board room advisor, and passionate advocate for individual, corporate and institutional clients.
- She believe in limiting the size and intrusiveness of government so people are free to work, innovate, and enjoy the blessings of liberty.
- Education is our society's great equalizer and a path to economic independence...Read More
|
 |
Manka Dhingra, On the West Coast, continued her service in the Washington State Senate.
- First elected in 2017, she was the first Sikh-American elected to any U.S. state legislature.
- By 2025, she had become a senior and well-established lawmaker, illustrating how early representation can evolve into long-term institutional influence within the broader Indian-American political ecosystem.
|
 |
Nikki Randhawa Haley elected governor on November 2nd, 2010 over the Democratic candidate, Vincent Sheheen 51% to 47%. She is first female governor of South Carolina and the second Indian American governor in the country, after Louisiana 's Bobby Jindal
- On June 08, 2010, she finished first in the four-person GOP primary election with more than 49% of the vote
- On June 22, she won with 65% vote and proceeded to win the general election by a 51-47 margin.
Associations...Read More
|
 |
Ravinder Bhalla,Municipal leadership has long served as a foundational pathway for Sikh-American political advancement, and few figures illustrate this better than Ravinder Bhalla.
- First elected in 2017, Bhalla became the first Sikh-American mayor in New Jersey history, serving as the 39th Mayor of Hoboken for eight years.
- His tenure concluded on January 13, 2026, following his successful election to the New Jersey General Assembly in November 2025...Read More
|
 |
In Connecticut, Sikh-American political expansion reached a historic milestone at the close of 2025. Swarnjit Singh Khalsa won the November 2025 mayoral election in Norwich and was sworn in on December 2, 2025, succeeding former mayor Peter Nystrom.
- His election made him the first Sikh mayor in New England history.
- Because his term began at the end of the year, Khalsa’s victory represents an expansion of representation heading into 2026 rather than incumbency during 2025 itself...Read More
|
These Sikh-American milestones exist within a wider Indian-American political landscape that has seen sustained federal representation, growing state-level influence, and increasing participation at the municipal level.
- Indian-American lawmakers in Congress continue to shape national policy debates, while state legislatures and city governments remain essential training grounds for future leaders across the diaspora.
As 2025 came to a close, community events across the country recognized Sikh-American and Indian-American public servants alike. These gatherings served not only as celebrations but as strategic spaces for mentorship, coalition-building, and preparation for upcoming elections.
Looking ahead, 2026 is expected to be a pivotal year. Federal midterm elections will test the durability of Indian-American representation in Congress, while state and local races may usher in a new generation of Sikh-American and Indian-American candidates.
- Transitions like Bhalla’s move to the New Jersey General Assembly and Khalsa’s inauguration in Norwich highlight a trajectory of upward mobility and geographic expansion.
What distinguishes the current moment is sustainability. The emphasis has shifted from electing “the first” to maintaining office, shaping policy, and mentoring successors.
- Sikh-American leadership—embedded within the broader Indian-American political story—now reflects continuity rather than exception.
From city halls to state capitols, Sikh-American leaders are no longer anomalies.
They are increasingly part of the governing fabric of American democracy as the nation moves into the 2026 election cycle.
|
