JJ Singh sworn in as delegate for Virginia’s House District 26

After Indian American candidate’s swearing in, Democrats maintain their 51-49 majority in the Virginia House of Delegates

By Arun Kumar

Indian American Democrat JJ Singh, a former Capitol Hill aide and small-business owner, who won a special election to Virginia’s House of Delegates from District 26 last week, was sworn in on Jan 13.

Singh defeated Republican Ram Venkatachalam in the special election for the Southeastern Loudoun County seat left vacant with incumbent Kannan Srinivasan running for the state Senate after Indian American Sen. Suhas Subramanyam was elected to Congress in November.

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“Honored to take the Oath of Office this morning. Time to get to work delivering for Loudoun County,” the son of Indian immigrants posted on X.

“Thank you House District 26 for putting your trust in me — I am honored to represent the community that my family calls home. I’m ready to get to Richmond and get to work fighting for our values and deliver for Southeastern Loudoun County families!” he posted after his win last week.

Congratulating his successor, Srinivasan posted on X, “Congratulations to my friend @SinghforVA on being sworn in as the new Delegate for District 26! I’m confident he will be an excellent representative to our constituents, and I look forward to collaborating with him as we serve our community and deliver for Loudoun families.”

Singh has a distinguished background in public service. He made history as the first turbaned Sikh to serve in the Peace Corps and previously worked at the White House Office of Management and Budget during the Obama administration.

With the victory of Srinivasan and JJ Singh in last week’s special legislative elections, the Democratic party will maintain its narrow majorities in both chambers in the state.

After Singh’s swearing in, Democrats maintain their 51-49 majority in the House of Delegates. A win by the Republican candidate would have resulted in a 50-50 tie.

After Srinivasan takes office, Democrats will hold a 21-19 majority in the state Senate. If Democrats had lost the special election for the Loudoun County seat, control of the chamber would have gone to the Republicans, because Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears holds tie-breaking authority.