Rep. Watson Coleman Swears In Neena Singh as Mayor of Montgomery Township
Singh is First Sikh Mayor in Township History
This evening, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) attended the Montgomery Township Reorganization Meeting and administered the oath of office to new Mayor Neena Singh, Deputy Mayor Vincent Barragan and Committeewoman Patricia Taylor Todd.
Mayor Singh had previously served as Deputy Mayor and Township Committeewoman. Singh has lived in Montgomery for 24 years and is the first Sikh Woman to be elected to local office in New Jersey. As an executive officer at STAND Central NJ (a grassroots non-profit) she worked not only on engaging and educating voters but also on empowering them to participate in our democracy.
“Neena Singh embodies commitment to public service,” said Watson Coleman. “She has made her life’s work fighting for social justice, economic opportunity, and human rights for all. I’m confident she’ll bring her experience and passion for the township to her term as Mayor.”
“It’s an enormous privilege to be sworn in by trailblazer Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman as the first elected Sikh woman mayor in New Jersey and the first Indian American woman mayor,” said Mayor Neena Singh. “What energizes and motivates me is the spirit of service. I strongly believe we all have a responsibility to give back, and I am blessed to do so in a town that reflects America’s diversity.”
“I’m so proud and humbled to be able to serve with such a diverse team of individuals,” said Deputy Mayor Vincent Barragan who swore his oath on a bible he carried with him while on deployment during Operation Iraqi Freedom. “It means so much to have Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman here to witness this achievement. Our diversity is our strength, and it’s what helps us provide great government to the people.”
“I was absolutely honored to be sworn in by Congresswoman Watson Coleman,” said Committeewoman Patricia Taylor Todd. “As a fellow public servant she continues to inspire me every day as I work to live up to the amazing example she sets.”
“Montgomery’s new governing body is representative of the rich diversity of our country’s leadership,” said Somerset County Democratic Chair Peg Schaffer. “A beautiful mosaic: the first Sikh mayor, the first Korean committeeman, a Black female committeewoman, and an Ecuadorian Deputy Mayor. I am so proud of them.”
Also sworn into office was Committeeman Dennis Ahn whose oath was administered by Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03).