The Indian American Impact Fund has announced a new slate of endorsements for the 2025 election cycle, backing seven candidates nationwide. Among them, five are of Indian origin, with backgrounds spanning public service, education, and local governance.
“The local and statewide elections happening across the country this year will shape not only our future but also our daily lives in profound ways,” said Chintan Patel, Executive Director of the Indian American Impact Fund. “Each of the seven candidates we are thrilled to endorse today is stepping up to lead, to advocate, and to craft policies that directly impact our schools, our neighborhoods, and our families.”
Indian American Candidates in the Spotlight
One of the key candidates in this cycle is Dini Ajmani, who is running for mayor of Hoboken, New Jersey. Born in India to a welder and a homemaker, Ajmani’s journey is one of perseverance. After earning an MBA from Stanford, she established a career in finance, rising through the ranks on Wall Street while raising a family. Her campaign prioritizes economic growth and improving public services in Hoboken.
Another notable candidate is Shashi Sinha, running for mayor of Rochester, New York. Sinha describes his candidacy as rooted in the American Dream. “Fourteen years ago, my wife and I chose Rochester as our home… but the American Dream is only possible when foundational needs are met—stable housing, quality education, and a safe environment,” he stated, underscoring his commitment to equitable development.
For Balvir Singh, a public school educator and candidate for New Jersey State House District 7, representation is deeply personal. As the first Sikh legislator in the state’s history, Singh immigrated from Punjab and pursued a career in mathematics education before entering politics. His platform focuses on education policy and economic opportunity.
In Illinois, Aishwarya Balakrishna, running for Naperville Park District Commissioner, draws on her background in public health. “As a daughter of Indian-American immigrants, I have approached my entire professional career with the values of hard work, inclusion, and service,” she said, emphasizing her dedication to community well-being.
Meanwhile, Anant Nambiar, a candidate for Westchester County Legislator in New York, brings extensive experience in financial leadership and local governance. A former Mamaroneck School Board member and Town Council official, he is advocating for fiscal responsibility and infrastructure development.
Expanding South Asian Representation
Beyond the Indian American candidates, the Indian American Impact Fund has also endorsed Mussab Ali, who is running for mayor of Jersey City. Ali, a former Board of Education President and education nonprofit founder, made history as the youngest elected official in Jersey City at age 20. Of Pakistani descent, Ali has prioritized addressing housing inequality and lead contamination in schools.
Another endorsement went to Ajmeri Hoque, a Bangladeshi American attorney running for Dublin City Council in Ohio. Hoque, a small business owner and former prosecutor, has long been engaged in legal advocacy and South Asian community organizations.
A Growing Political Force
These endorsements follow Impact’s previous support for Kannan Srinivasan and JJ Singh, who secured victories in Virginia’s legislative races earlier this year, as well as Ghazala Hashmi, who is running for Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor.
Since its founding in 2016, the Indian American Impact Fund has endorsed 198 candidates and mobilized over $20 million to advance South Asian political engagement.