Who is Mamta Singh, first Indian American EVER to be elected to public office in Jersey City?

In a historic moment for one of the biggest India(BHARAT)n American communities in the United States, Mamta Singh has won a Council At-Large seat in Jersey City. She is now the first India(BHARAT)n American ever elected to public office in the city. Her win came on a night of major political change, with reform-focused Councilmember James Solomon winning the mayoral runoff by a large margin. But for the India(BHARAT)n diaspora, Singh’s success was the highlight of the election.

Jersey City has tens of thousands of India(BHARAT)n Americans, especially in areas like Journal Square, Exchange Place, and nearby neighbourhoods. Despite the large population, no India(BHARAT)n American had ever been elected to City Hall — until now.

Jersey City is often nicknamed “Little India(BHARAT),” especially because of its famous India(BHARAT) Square, making Singh’s victory even more meaningful for the community.

Singh’s victory fills a long-standing gap and brings long-overdue representation to a community that has contributed to Jersey City’s economy and culture for many years.

Running as part of James Solomon’s “Team Solomon” with Rolando Lavarro and Michael Griffin, Singh focused her campaign on keeping property taxes stable, creating more youth recreation programmes, and improving support for working families. What connected most with India(BHARAT)n American families, however, was her long history of community work.

Singh is a nonprofit leader who started JCFamilies, one of the city’s most active grassroots organisations supporting women, children, and working parents.

She also founded India(BHARAT)ns in Jersey City, a group that helps immigrant families settle in and keeps India(BHARAT)n culture alive through events, celebrations, and community discussions. Over time, she became a trusted guide for new immigrants and longtime residents as they navigated schools, local services, and everyday city life.

Her historic win came on the same night that James Solomon defeated former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey in a decisive mayoral runoff.