Democrat Sam Joshi Becomes First Indian American Mayor of Edison, New Jersey

Indian American Samip “Sam” Joshi, a Democrat, vice president of Edison Township, the 5th largest municipality in New Jersey, has won the hotly contested race for mayor. He defeated Republican Keith Hahn and independent candidate Christo Makropoulos. 

According to centraljersey.com, Joshi received 10,930, or 52.76 percent of the votes, while Hahn got 9,459 votes, or 45.66 percent, and Makropoulos received 301, or 1.45 percent. There were 28 write-in votes.

Joshi will replace Democratic Mayor Thomas Lankey whose term ends Dec. 31. “Lankey, who was running a quixotic bid as an independent to retain his office, dropped out in August and endorsed Joshi,” New Jersey Globe reported. 

“I am honored and humbled to be elected as the next Mayor of Edison township,” Joshi wrote in a Facebook post on Nov. 3. “Thank you to all my friends, family, and supporters for making this election possible. I pledge to be a Mayor for all of Edison and will work hard every single day to address and solve the issues we’re faced with,” he wrote. “Mayor Lankey and I have spoke regarding our transition and I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and get to work. I want to also thank Mr. Hahn for reaching out. I look forward to having the community come together as one as we move forward to a united Edison.”

Although Edison has a significant Indian American population, Joshi is the first mayor of South Asian heritage to lead the township. According to 2010 U.S. Census data, there are 28,286 Asian Indians in the township. AAPI Data reveals that Edison, one of the largest cities in New Jersey, also has one of the largest Asian populations in the state. “The share of Asian residents in Edison is five times larger than the share of Asians in the New Jersey population as a whole,” the data reveals.

“While Asians make up 9 percent of the population in New Jersey, they are 47 percent of the population in Edison. The Asian population in Edison grew by 20 percent, compared to 2.3 percent for the general population from the 2006-2010 to the 2011-2015 American Community Survey reporting periods,” the data says.

In the June primary, Joshi defeated Edison Democratic chair Mahesh Bhagia. Joshi was on Column A with Gov. Phil Murphy and the entire Middlesex County Regular Democratic Organization candidates, while Bhagia ran with a slate of candidates on Column B and newcomer Arthur Esposito. According to many political insiders in Edison, the highly contested primary was believed to be a two-way race between Joshi and Bhagia.

The young lawmaker was endorsed by Gov. Murphy, Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) and Senators Bob Melendez and Cory Booker, has been campaigning on a platform of creating township-wide municipal broadband to give residents faster, cheaper internet, reducing taxes and increasing municipal services and recreational programs.He has been involved in local government since age 14. “A dedicated public servant, Joshi was the youngest to serve on the Fair Rental Housing Authority and the Zoning Board of Adjustment,” says his profile on his official Facebook page. 

He was elected as an at-large Council member at 27 years old, making him the youngest elected official in Edison’s history. Since joining the Edison Township Council in 2017, Joshi has worked to keep taxes low, help women and minority-owned businesses get on their feet, and promote green energy throughout the township.

Joshi, who was endorsed by Gov. Murphy, Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) and Senators Bob Melendez and Cory Booker, has been campaigning on a platform of creating township-wide municipal broadband to give residents faster, cheaper internet, reducing taxes and increasing municipal services and recreational programs.

He has been involved in local government since age 14. “A dedicated public servant, Joshi was the youngest to serve on the Fair Rental Housing Authority and the Zoning Board of Adjustment,” says his profile on his official Facebook page. He was elected as an at-large Council member at 27 years old, making him the youngest elected official in Edison’s history. Since joining the Edison Township Council in 2017, Joshi has worked to keep taxes low, help women and minority-owned businesses get on their feet, and promote green energy throughout the township.