JJ Singh Makes History as First Sikh-American Elected to Virginia’s House of Delegates

Virginia/Punjab Post
Virginia’s political landscape witnessed a historic moment this week as Democrat JJ Singh became the first Sikh-American elected to the state’s House of Delegates. Singh’s victory in the 26th House District, which includes parts of Loudoun County, comes as a testament to his resonant campaign focused on economic growth, infrastructure development, and environmental sustainability. Singh secured 61.49% of the votes, defeating Republican challenger Ram Venkatachalam, who garnered 38.33% of the 9,940 votes cast.
In his victory speech, Singh highlighted his journey as the son of Indian immigrants, emphasizing values of hard work, service, and perseverance instilled by his upbringing. “I entered this race for my daughters, who deserve more rights and opportunities than the generation before them,” Singh said. He pledged to address pressing issues, including gun violence—now the leading cause of death for children—and soaring college tuition costs. Singh added, “In Richmond, I will take on the toughest challenges to build a better future.”
Singh’s win is part of a broader reshuffle in the Virginia General Assembly, with other significant victories reported. Republican Luther Cifers triumphed in the 10th Senate District, defeating Democrat Jack Trammell with 58.55% of the 16,265 votes cast. Meanwhile, in the 32nd Senate District, Democrat Kannan Srinivasan, a former delegate, claimed victory over Republican Tumay Harding with 61.25% of the 29,621 votes cast.
Despite these wins, the overall partisan balance in the General Assembly remains unchanged. Democrats retain a 21-19 majority in the Senate and a narrow 51-49 edge in the House of Delegates.
The new lawmakers were initially set to take their oaths on Wednesday. However, a water crisis in Richmond has temporarily closed government buildings, delaying the formal launch of the General Assembly’s 2025 session until next week.
While these elections reinforce party strongholds, their impact on the 2025 gubernatorial race remains to be seen. Nonetheless, Singh’s historic achievement signals a shift towards greater diversity and representation in Virginia’s legislature.