Jyot Singh, the first Sikh American and first person of Indian origin elected to the Georgia General Assembly, won the House District 97 race in the November 3, 2026, midterm elections.
By Geeta Goindi
November 4, 2026 – Indian-American Democrat Jyot Singh has made political history by winning a seat in the Georgia House of Representatives, becoming the first Sikh American and first person of Indian origin elected to the state legislature.
Singh defeated Republican Yassin Moghazy in the November 3 midterm elections to represent House District 97, which encompasses diverse communities in Gwinnett County, including parts of Duluth, Norcross, Peachtree Corners and Berkeley Lake.
Celebrating his victory, Singh posted a video on social media with the message: “We won!!! Thank you Georgia! I’m honored to be your representative-elect in HD-97.”
His election marks a significant milestone for Indian-American political representation and a remarkable personal journey for the son of working-class immigrants who began earning a living at age 15 to help support his family.
Raised in Norcross by Sikh parents who immigrated from India, Singh grew up in basement apartments and townhouses, watching them work long hours to make ends meet. His childhood experiences, including periods without adequate healthcare, shaped his understanding of the struggles faced by families living on modest incomes.
A product of Gwinnett County public schools, he graduated from the Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology before earning a full scholarship to Yale University, where he received a degree in Global Affairs in 2021.
Despite attending one of America’s most prestigious universities and building a career in political advocacy, Singh has remained deeply connected to his roots.
“My story isn’t about a career; it’s about a commitment to the community that made me,” he writes in his campaign biography.
His rise from humble beginnings to elected office reflects the opportunities he believes should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their economic circumstances or background.
For Singh, public service is inseparable from his Sikh faith, particularly the principles of seva, meaning selfless service, and sarbat da bhala, the well-being of all. These values, he says, have guided his commitment to equality, justice and uplifting others.
“As Sikhs, our people have fought against tyranny, oppression, and injustice for centuries in order to uplift all communities and for the wellbeing of all,” he said. “I’ll bring that fight to the Georgia State Legislature and fight for House District 97 and everyday Georgians.”
That connection to his heritage was evident throughout his political journey. His bid for office began and concluded at the Guru Nanak Mission Society gurdwara in Norcross, underscoring the importance of faith and belonging in his life.
“It means the world to have the chance to be the first Sikh American elected to the Georgia state legislature,” Singh said in the closing days of the race. “Communities like ours often get left out of the conversation.”
While mindful of the significance of his achievement, he has consistently emphasized that representation must translate into meaningful improvements in people’s lives.
A longtime organizer and political strategist, Singh has worked on gubernatorial and legislative campaigns, including serving as a press secretary. He also founded Blue Husky Group, a political and strategic consulting firm.
His involvement in education advocacy included helping secure $1.4 billion for Gwinnett County Public Schools through the renewal of E-SPLOST, a special local sales tax dedicated to educational improvements.
Singh emerged as a formidable contender in May when he won the Democratic primary with 59.1 percent of the vote against Jacques Laurent, carrying every precinct in the district.
Rejecting corporate contributions, he built a grassroots operation supported by small-dollar donors and volunteers. His campaign raised more than $240,000 during the primary, while supporters knocked on over 8,500 doors.
His candidacy also attracted endorsements from Indian American Impact, the Asian American Advocacy Fund and prominent Democratic lawmakers, including US Representatives Ro Khanna of California, Hank Johnson of Georgia and Jonathan Jackson of Illinois.
“As a Sikh kid from Gwinnett, I’m deeply moved and honored by the coalition of powerful support we’ve earned to support our campaign,” Singh said. “It means the world to have the backing of all of these incredible leaders and organizations who’ve done so much good work to uplift Georgia and the country.”
Among his legislative priorities are expanding affordable housing and healthcare, supporting immigrant-owned small businesses, improving language accessibility and strengthening public education.
Drawing upon his own childhood experiences, he has pledged to protect Medicaid and food assistance programs for vulnerable households.
“I know what it’s like to grow up without healthcare, and I’ll fight to protect and expand the Medicaid coverage and food assistance in Georgia for the families that need it most,” he said.
His political outlook has also been shaped by his experiences as a turbaned Sikh American. Amid growing polarization and divisive rhetoric, Singh has spoken against prejudice and discrimination, emphasizing diversity as a source of strength rather than division.
Fluent in English, Punjabi, Hindi and Spanish, he represents a new generation of political leaders whose backgrounds reflect the increasingly multicultural character of American society.
Yet, beyond the endorsements, electoral victories and prestigious education, Singh’s story remains grounded in the place he calls home.
In a response to Ballotpedia’s candidate questionnaire, he described helping his parents buy a house in Gwinnett and enabling his father to retire as among his proudest accomplishments.
For someone who grew up watching his family struggle financially, those milestones carry a significance that extends well beyond professional success.
His election is not only a personal triumph but also a breakthrough for Sikh and Indian Americans seeking a stronger voice in government.
From basement apartments in Norcross to Yale University and now the Georgia State Capitol, Jyot Singh’s journey is a testament to perseverance, opportunity and the enduring belief that success carries with it a responsibility to uplift others.
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