New Jersey Special Election: Congress Candidate Seeks Support from Indian-American Community

Washington, 6 January – John Bartlett, a County Commissioner and voting rights attorney, is contesting the special election from New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District. Bartlett is directly appealing for support from the Indian-American community, emphasising his personal and political connection with them and his understanding of their issues.

The special election has been called following the election of the current representative, Mikie Sherrill, as the Governor of New Jersey, leaving the seat vacant. Bartlett stated, “Our special election is scheduled for 5 February, and around a dozen candidates are contesting the Democratic primary. I am one of them and seek the opportunity to represent this district in the United States Congress.”

Speaking about his ties to the Indian-American community, Bartlett shared in an interview that through his marriage to Dr Kathy Joshi, who is of Indian descent, he has gained deep insight into Indian culture and the community. He has visited India multiple times and maintains constant contact with Indian Americans living in northern New Jersey.

As a County Commissioner in Passaic County, Bartlett prioritised the inclusion of immigrant communities. He highlighted efforts during the 2020 census to provide information not only in English and Spanish but also in Arabic, Hindi, and Bengali. Bartlett said, “When every community is counted, they receive the appropriate resources.”

Bartlett described New Jersey’s 11th District as home to some of the state’s largest Indian-American communities, including Parsippany, Livingston, Short Hills, Randolph, and Wayne. He noted, “The 11th District is 12 per cent Asian American, with more than half being Indian Americans. Families here represent diverse generations, professions, and experiences.”

He acknowledged challenges faced by Indian-American families in the area, such as visa and immigration difficulties, racial and religious discrimination, and rising living costs. Bartlett expressed his commitment to ensuring the community has a representative who understands their concerns from within and addresses them promptly.

With about 25 years of experience as a voting rights lawyer, Bartlett said he is contesting Congress at a time when civil rights and democracy face increasing threats. He criticised the Trump administration for undermining civil and voting rights and emphasised the importance of electing the right representatives to ensure the 2028 Presidential election remains fair and free.

Bartlett also stressed the critical role of Indian-American voter participation in this low-turnout special election. He urged community members to vote early, by mail, or in person on 5 February, stating, “In a special election, whoever gets their base and supporters to the polls wins.”

On policy matters, Bartlett highlighted healthcare, immigration, and India-US relations as key priorities. He advocated for reinstating government healthcare options and criticised policies that increase financial burdens on families. He also condemned tariffs and visa restrictions affecting Indian-American businesses and families, citing areas like Edison’s Oak Tree Road and Newark Avenue in Jersey City as directly impacted.

Describing India as one of America’s most important global partners, Bartlett called for strengthening trade and people-to-people ties between the two nations rather than policies that complicate immigration and commerce.

He concluded, “The 5 February election is an opportunity for the Indian-American community to demonstrate its strength, political influence, and achieve something truly meaningful.”

The Democratic primary for the special election will take place on 5 February, with early voting available from 29 January to 3 February. The special general election is scheduled for 16 April. In recent years, New Jersey’s 11th District has been considered a key seat held by the Democratic Party in state politics.