Minita Sanghvi, who could be first gay woman in NY senate, gets official Democratic nomination

NEW DELHI: Indian American Minita Sanghvi has officially secured the Democratic nomination for New York’s 44th State Senate district on Monday. The 46-year-old marketing professor at Skidmore College, had already received endorsements from the Saratoga County Democratic Committee and Schenectady County Democratic Committee, according to a press release from her campaign office.
Sanghvi, who is currently serving her second term as Saratoga Springs Finance Commissioner, had launched her campaign for the New York State Senate in January 2024 because she felt that ‘we deserve better’. “We need a leader who will put people ahead of partisan politics in Albany. I’m not a politician. I’m a parent, business educator, and fiscally responsible public servant. And I’ve built a record of listening to people and working with others to deliver results,” she had said when announcing that she was running this November for the state senate seat currently held by Republican Jim Tedisco.

Saratoga County Democratic Committee chairwoman Martha Devaney said while announcing the party’s support for Sanghvi: “We are proud to endorse Minita, a committed advocate and proven problem solver. Her roles as a dedicated parent, respected educator, and effective public servant showcase her commitment to delivering results that rise above partisan politics. Minita is exactly the leader New York’s 44th State Senate district deserves.”
Schenectady County Democratic Committee chair Frank Salamone stated, “As Saratoga Springs Commissioner of Finance, Minita has invested in key city improvements in a fiscally responsible way. Given her successful record of funding the third fire station, a 24/7 homeless shelter and getting more sidewalks, parks and playgrounds for the community, I’m certain that as state senator, she’ll deliver on infrastructure and stimulate our region’s economy.”
Born in a conservative family of entrepreneurs and innovators in India, Sanghvi says on her campaign website that “she was taught by her parents to work hard, stand up for others, and serve her community”. Sanghvi who, if elected, will be the first openly gay and first woman of colour to represent New York’s 44th State Senate district, and the first openly gay woman in the New York Senate; immigrated to the US in 2001, because she felt that America offered her the opportunity to be herself and pursue her dream of getting married and raising a family.
Before she started teaching business at Skidmore College a decade ago, she had worked at WalMart, in corporate marketing, and had started a business of her own in the US. In India, she had earned a degree in accounting and an MBA, and worked in advertising. Sanghvi, who lives with her wife and young son, was elected to serve as the Saratoga Springs Finance Commissioner in 2021.
Indian American Impact, an organisation that elevates the voices of Indian Americans in US politics and public life, has also officially endorsed Sanghvi.