BY PARVEEN CHOPRA
New York City, NY, November 27, 2025: Sharanjit Singh Thind filed his candidacy in September 2025 for the U.S. House of Representatives from New York’s District 18 in the Hudson Valley. A lifelong Republican and Sikh born in Punjab, India, he argues that this Democrat-held seat is competitive. His campaign focuses on business growth, preparing the workforce for AI-related changes, family values, and community safety. He cites experience in both the private and public sectors as qualifications to represent the district north of Manhattan.
Thind says he has the support of the party’s establishment. Before filing his nomination papers, he met with New York Republican State Committee Chairman Ed Cox—son-in-law of President Nixon—to discuss party backing. According to him, he was told that there were no other Republican candidates in the race at that time and that the 18th Congressional District (CD-18) would be a promising venue for a run. “But even with the best intentions and backing of the party leadership, primaries are unavoidable and even healthy,” he says.
Thind describes himself as familiar with CD-18 and says he remains in contact with local party leadership. “I am getting a very enthusiastic response when I interact with constituents of all stripes and backgrounds,” he added.
While acknowledging that incumbent Patrick Ryan defeated Republican Alison Esposito by 14 points in 2024, Thind points to what he describes as a changed political environment ahead of the November 3, 2026, election. “People were fed up seeing hotels and motels teeming with illegal migrants housed in the Hudson Valley under President Biden and Mayor Adams. Under President Trump, that threat to law and order has been cleared,” he claims.
Thind also criticizes the recent election of Zohran Mamdani as Mayor of New York City, referring to Mamdani as a “self-declared socialist.” He contrasts this with former President Trump’s America First policies, which he supports and believes align with the views of many upstate New Yorkers. Thind highlights his background in media and real estate while emphasizing his belief that economic strength depends on prioritizing business growth.
Policy Platform
Thind says his policy platform is designed to address the concerns of district residents. “The biggest challenge in the coming months and years,” he says, “is that many jobs will evaporate under the AI heat. I am not against AI or automation, but I will make the AI behemoth companies accountable, to make them funnel back some of their profits to retrain the retrenched workers.” He also calls for stronger safeguards against financial scams, especially those affecting seniors.
Tourism, he argues, remains an underutilized opportunity in the Hudson Valley. “I will give tourism full attention to attract high-paying visitors and create jobs,” Thind says, noting that part of a recent Netflix series, Four Seasons, starring Steve Carell and Tina Fey, was filmed in the region. He believes the area’s scenic appeal could draw additional entertainment projects.
Thind’s résumé includes an MBA and a journalism degree. He came to the United States around the turn of the century and has since worked for multiple companies, founded an ad agency in Manhattan, and served as Editor-Publisher of The South Asian Insider for nearly two decades. He recently published a book, The Beginning – Mad Men of Nu Way Advertising, about his experience leading a Madison Avenue ad agency.
Experience in Government and Politics
Since 2012, Thind has worked with various government bodies, including serving as a Commissioner on the Nassau County Human Rights Commission until 2018. He also worked in the Receiver of Taxes office in the Town of Hempstead, the largest township in the country.
Thind says he has been involved in several political campaigns, supporting candidates for positions ranging from local council to Congress. “I have helped raise funds and also personally contributed to quite a few races,” he says. He reports having received the Congressional Excellence Award twice. Thind adds that his experience as an editor has shaped his understanding of how government functions and what he believes requires reform.
To launch his campaign, Thind plans to use personal funds and seek support from small donors. He notes that the maximum individual contribution is $3,535 and that Congressional races are not eligible for government matching funds. Because CD-18 is considered competitive, he expects support from Republican voters who want the GOP to retain control of the House after 2026.
Thind owns property in the Catskills and says he is finalizing a lease for a home in Saugerties, in Ulster County. He and his family currently live on Long Island.
Thind’s campaign message centers on jobs, AI preparedness, tourism growth, healthcare accessibility, family values, and protections for senior citizens against scams.
More information about his campaign is available at ThindForCongress.com.
Parveen Chopra is the founder of ALotusInTheMud.com web magazine.
