Sam Joshi, the first Indian-American mayor of Edison, New Jersey, is running for re-election, with his current term ending in December 2025. At just 34 years old, Joshi has garnered significant support from the Indian-American community, who have been pivotal in his campaign. Speaking to the Times of India, Joshi highlighted that Indian-Americans form the majority of his donors, including first-time contributors, and many young Indian-Americans are interning in his administration.
Joshi’s campaign focuses on his record as mayor, which includes maintaining flat property taxes despite high inflation, improving infrastructure, enhancing senior citizen services, and ending Edison’s internet monopoly. Public safety has been a cornerstone of his administration, with efforts to reform state laws on home invasions and burglaries, resulting in stricter sentencing guidelines.
Deeply connected to his Indian heritage, Joshi has made Diwali a central celebration in Edison, drawing over 20,000 attendees annually and inspiring similar events in neighboring towns. His policies have united Edison’s business community, with Indian-American business owners showing strong support.
Joshi describes himself as a “practical Democrat,” balancing progressive and conservative values to address issues like crime, fiscal responsibility, and immigration. Despite Edison’s history of racial tensions, Joshi has chosen to focus on unifying the community rather than highlighting controversies. As a trailblazer, he hopes to inspire young Indian Americans to follow in his footsteps and serve as leaders in the future.
