Who is Mamta Singh? The first Indian American elected to public office in Jersey City

Washington: Mamta Singh has made history in Jersey City, becoming the first Indian American ever elected to public office in one of the United States’ most prominent Indian American hubs.

Singh won a Council At-Large seat, marking a breakthrough moment for a community that has long been central to the city’s identity but had never held a seat in City Hall.

Her election came during a night of sweeping political shifts, with reformist James Solomon winning the mayoral runoff.

Singh has strong roots in grassroots organising and nonprofit leadership. She is the founder of JCFamilies, one of Jersey City’s most active community groups working with women, children, and working parents. She also launched Indians In Jersey City, an organisation that supports immigrant families and keeps Indian cultural traditions alive through festivals, gatherings, and community forums.

Her work over the years turned her into a trusted figure within the diaspora, helping new immigrants navigate schools, services, and the broader challenges of settling into American city life.

Her political campaign

Running on James Solomon’s ‘Team Solomon’ slate alongside Rolando Lavarro and Michael Griffin, Singh campaigned on stabilising property taxes, improving recreation opportunities for young people, and strengthening support systems for working families. Her message of representation and community-focused governance resonated widely, especially among Indian American families who have lived in the city for decades without political visibility.

Jersey City is home to tens of thousands of Indian Americans, making it one of the largest Indian American population centres in the country. Despite this demographic strength, the community had never elected one of its own until now.