First Sikh and Indian-American elected to Georgia assembly, Jyot Singh makes history, calls Trump ‘racist’
Indian-American politician, Jyot Singh (centre). (Image courtesy: X/@jyotsinghga)
New Delhi: Indian-American politician, Jyot Singh, has made history by becoming the first Sikh and first Indian-American elected to the Georgia general assembly in the United States. A democrat, Singh won Georgia’s 97th House district in the November 3 US midterm elections, marking a milestone for the Indian-American and Sikh communities.
Singh secured 13,820 votes, accounting for 68 per cent of the total vote. He defeated Republican candidate Yassin Moghazy, who received 6,509 votes. He will represent District 97 in Gwinnett county, Georgia.
A Yale University alumnus, Singh studied at the Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology. He is a civil rights advocate and small business owner in Gwinnett county. He grew up in Norcross, Georgia, and has highlighted diversity and equal opportunities as key issues.
In an interview with NDTV after his victory, Singh criticized the United States president, Donald Trump, over his remarks about immigrant communities. He called Trump “racist” and “xenophobic” and accused the Republican Party of increasingly targeting Indian and other South Asian communities.
Speaking about rising anti-Indian sentiment in the US, Singh said Indians, Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs had faced growing hostility in recent months.
Singh said the election result reflected public opposition to what he described as the politics of hate. He also referred to a recent shooting at a Hindu temple in Illinois, arguing that political rhetoric targeting immigrant communities could encourage hostility and violence.
The Indian-American leader said his campaign focused on making America more affordable and inclusive. He highlighted rising costs of health insurance, vehicle insurance and utility bills, saying economic concerns had also influenced voters.
Singh’s election marks a significant moment for Indian-origin representation in American politics. His victory comes amid growing debate in the US over immigration, H-1B visa restrictions and hostility towards South Asian communities.
