Tasfia Khan:
Japneet Singh, a young Sikh American and lifelong resident of Queens, is emerging as a fresh voice in the race for New York City Council District 28, which includes South Ozone Park, South Richmond Hill, and South Jamaica. A first-time candidate, Singh brings years of community advocacy to a campaign focused on real representation and local empowerment.
Having attended P.S. 100, M.S. 226, and John Adams High School, Singh often cites his Queens upbringing as central to his identity. “It is extremely humbling and a tremendous honor to run to represent the community I’ve called home for my entire life,” he wrote in his campaign announcement in February 2025.
Singh’s message is rooted in frustration with establishment politics. “They come into our homes & our places of worship, collect donations as well as votes… yet when we needed them, they were nowhere to be found,” he said. His platform celebrates the contributions of everyday workers—from taxi drivers to small business owners—as the real foundation of the city.
Determined to boost civic engagement, Singh has pointed out that only 14,000 out of 64,000 registered Democrats voted in the last District 28 election. He’s calling for at least 10 public debates ahead of the June 24 primary, urging local organizations to host forums for candidate transparency.
In response to a recent shooting near Baisley Housing, Singh immediately visited the scene and called for the reopening of the area’s long-closed community center to provide safe spaces for youth. “You have to keep young people busy so a day like today does not happen,” he said.
Singh’s campaign is powered not by political machines but by community support. “All we have is a dream… All we have is us. Together, we can all rise,” he wrote. With a focus on public safety, civic participation, and grassroots leadership, Singh is running not just as a candidate—but as a voice for lasting change.
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