Sharanjit Singh Thind has announced his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives, aiming to represent New York’s 18th District in the 2026 elections.
Sharanjit Singh Thind officially filed his candidacy in September 2025 for the U.S. House of Representatives, seeking to represent New York’s 18th District in the Hudson Valley. A lifelong Republican and Sikh originally from Punjab, India, Thind is confident that this Democrat-held seat is primed for a change. With extensive experience in both the private and public sectors, his campaign emphasizes promoting business, creating jobs that are resilient to automation, defending family values, and enhancing community safety.
Thind claims to have the backing of the Republican establishment. Prior to submitting his nomination papers, he met with Ed Cox, Chairman of the New York Republican State Committee, to discuss support for his campaign. Thind was informed that there were no other Republican candidates in the race, making the 18th Congressional District a promising opportunity for him. “Even with the best intentions and backing of the party leadership, primaries are unavoidable and even healthy,” he noted.
Describing his familiarity with CD-18, Thind emphasized his close connections with local party leadership, facilitated by Chairman Cox. “I am receiving a very enthusiastic response when I interact with constituents from all backgrounds,” he added.
While acknowledging that the incumbent, Patrick Ryan, defeated Alison Esposito (R) by 14 points in the 2024 election, Thind believes the political landscape has shifted in his favor. He cites growing discontent among voters regarding the handling of illegal immigration, particularly under President Biden and Mayor Adams. “People are fed up seeing hotels and motels teeming with illegal migrants housed in the Hudson Valley. Under President Trump, that threat to law and order has been cleared,” he stated.
Thind expressed concern over the recent election of Zohran Mamdani as Mayor of New York City, contrasting it with Trump’s America First, pro-business policies. He argues that these policies have contributed to making America the world’s largest economy and a destination for global talent. “By putting business first, you have to know about business, which I do, having run media and real estate businesses,” he said.
Thind’s campaign platform addresses several key issues. He identifies the rise of artificial intelligence as a significant challenge, stating, “Many jobs will evaporate under the AI heat. I am not against AI or automation, but I will hold AI companies accountable to ensure they reinvest some of their profits into retraining displaced workers.” He also emphasizes the need for accountability among banks regarding financial scams that adversely affect seniors.
In addition to job creation, Thind plans to promote tourism in the scenic Hudson Valley. “I will give tourism full attention to attract high-paying visitors and create jobs,” he stated, referencing a recent Netflix series, ‘Four Seasons,’ filmed in the area and featuring stars like Steve Carell and Tina Fey. With his business expertise and the region’s appeal, he is optimistic about attracting more entertainment projects.
Thind arrived in the United States equipped with an MBA and a journalism degree. He resides on Long Island with his wife and two sons. Over the years, he has worked for various reputable companies, founded his own advertising agency in Manhattan, and served as the Editor-Publisher of ‘The South Asian Insider’ for nearly two decades. Recently, he authored “The Beginning – Mad Men of Nu Way Advertising,” which highlights his experiences in the advertising industry on Madison Avenue.
His campaign promises include creating more jobs, protecting those jobs from the impacts of AI, boosting tourism in the Hudson Valley, expanding healthcare benefits, upholding family values, and enacting laws to safeguard seniors from scams.
Thind also brings a wealth of experience in government and politics. Since 2012, he has served as a Commissioner on the Nassau County Human Rights Commission until 2018 and has worked with the Receiver of Taxes office in the Town of Hempstead, the largest township in America.
Having been actively involved in electoral politics, Thind has helped various candidates run for office, from local council members to congressional races. “I have been very closely involved, spending long hours strategizing policy. I have helped raise and personally contributed to the campaigns of quite a few races,” he explained. He has also received the Congressional Excellence Award for his contributions.
Thind plans to leverage his editorial experience to inform his approach to governance and address the issues he believes need fixing in his campaign for Congress.
According to India Currents, Thind’s candidacy marks a significant step in his political journey as he seeks to represent the interests of the Hudson Valley community.