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Swaranjit Singh Khalsa becomes first Sikh mayor of Norwich, CT
The Punjab-born community leader wins historic election, pledges to serve city that “embraced his family”.
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Pranavi Sharma - Wed, 05, Nov 2025
- 23:29 EST
- 20
Swaranjit Singh Khalsa, / Instagram/@swaranjitsinghkhalsa
Swaranjit Singh Khalsa, a 40-year-old native of Punjab, India, has been elected mayor of Norwich, becoming the first Sikh to hold the position in the city’s history.
Khalsa, who moved to the United States in 2007 after his family fled the 1984 anti-Sikh violence in India, announced his victory on Instagram on Nov. 6, saying the win was a collective effort.
“The hard work of hundreds of volunteers, donors, supporters, activists, and community members paid off in a spectacular way last night as we won by nearly 20 points,” Khalsa said. “This victory belongs not to me, but to everyone who gave the priceless gift of their belief and encouragement.”
He called the result a “testament to the enduring power of the American Dream—and to the millions who still have faith in it.”
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Khalsa, a Democrat, has been a familiar face in Norwich public life for over a decade. He served on the City Council, the Norwich Board of Education, the Commission on the City Plan, and the Inland Wetlands Commission. He is also active in interfaith work through the Norwich Area Clergy Association and has served as director of the Norwich Community Development Corporation.
A businessman and real estate developer, Khalsa owned the Norwichtown Shell gas station for 12 years before entering politics full time. His campaign focused on local development and community engagement, drawing on his long-standing ties to the city.
Khalsa said he views public service as a family legacy, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, both of whom were community leaders in India.
He lives in the Norwichtown neighborhood with his wife, Guntas, and their two daughters.
In his statement, Khalsa expressed gratitude to the city that welcomed him years ago. “I’m grateful to God, our country, and our community for allowing me this opportunity,” he said. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Khalsa said he hopes to use his business experience and community connections to build “a brighter, more prosperous future for every Norwich resident.”
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