31-year-old Indian-American Harsh Vardhan Singh in race to become New Jersey's governor

A 31-year-old Indian-American entrepreneur has entered the governors race in New Jersey, the elections for which are scheduled for later this year. Harsh Vardhan Singh, a Republican, entered the race with a promise to cut property taxes and make New Jersey a national technology leader.

If elected in the November gubernatorial elections, Singh would succeed outgoing Governor Chris Christie. However, he faces a tough Republican primary on June 6, 2017.

There are at least four popular Republican candidates in the race — Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, Lt Governor and Secretary of State Kim Guadagno, Nutley Commissioner of Public Affairs Steven Rogers and businessman Joseph Rudy Rullo.

New Jersey is predominately a Democratic State, but it currently has Republican



Governor Chris Christie, who can’t seek a third term because of term-limit.

Announcing early this month his run for the top elected position in the State, Singh urged people of New Jersey to give fresh ideas a chance.

“We’ve tried bankers from Goldman Sachs before and we’ve tried lawyers. Now if you give me the support I bring my engineering background as a problem solver,” he said.

Born in Atlantic City, Singh earned an engineering degree from the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

“Its time to scale back government interference in our lives and get back to our motto of Liberty and Prosperity,” he said.

If elected, Singh would be the third Indian-American ever elected as a Governor of a State.