MORRISTOWN (Diya TV) — John Bartlett, a county commissioner and longtime voting rights attorney, is seeking to build strong support among Indian American voters as he runs in the special election for New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District.
Bartlett entered the race after Rep. Mikie Sherrill won the election as governor of New Jersey. Her move created a vacancy in the suburban North Jersey district and set off a closely watched special election.
“We have a special election coming up on the 5th of February,” Bartlett said. “A dozen of us are contesting the Democratic primary. I’m seeking the opportunity to represent this district in the United States Congress.”
Bartlett says his connection to Indian Americans goes beyond politics. He describes himself as “a member of the community by marriage.” His wife, Dr. Kathy Joshi, is Indian American.
“I have learned so much through her,” Bartlett said. He added that he has spent significant time in India and worked for years to build relationships with Indian American families across northern New Jersey.
Those personal ties, he said, shape how he listens to concerns around immigration, discrimination, and economic opportunity.
As a county commissioner in Passaic County, Bartlett said inclusion of immigrant communities has been a core priority of his public service. During the 2020 census, he said the county expanded outreach efforts beyond English and Spanish. Officials also provided information in Arabic, Hindi, and Bengali. These languages reflect the diverse immigrant populations in the region, including families from India and Bangladesh.
“When you count everybody, those communities get the resources that they need,” Bartlett said.
Bartlett described New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District as home to some of the state’s most established Indian American communities. Towns such as Parsippany, Livingston, Short Hills, Randolph, and Wayne have seen steady growth in Indian American residents.
“The 11th District is 12 percent Asian American,” Bartlett said. “More than half of those residents are Indian Americans.”
He noted that families in the district include recent immigrants, longtime residents, and second- and third-generation professionals. Many work in medicine, technology, education, and small business.
Bartlett said Indian American voters raise concerns that cut across immigration and daily life. These include visa delays, racial and religious discrimination, and rising costs for households and businesses.
“Having someone who understands that from the inside and who is responsive to those communities is a priority of mine,” he said.
He also pointed to the impact of federal trade and immigration policies on Indian American business districts. Tariffs and visa restrictions, he said, have hurt small business owners in places such as Oaktree Road in Edison and Newark Avenue in Jersey City.
A voting rights lawyer for nearly 25 years, Bartlett said he decided to run for Congress at a moment he views as critical for democracy. He criticized the Trump administration for rolling back civil rights and voting protections. He warned that future elections could face similar risks.
“We have one chance to make sure that the 2028 presidential election is free and fair,” Bartlett said. He argued that electing a voting rights attorney to Congress would help protect democratic norms. Bartlett stressed that Indian American turnout could play a decisive role in a low-turnout special election.
“In a special election, if you turn out your base, you win,” he said. He urged voters to use early voting, vote by mail, or cast ballots on primary day, Feb. 5. Early voting runs from Jan. 29 through Feb. 3.
On policy, Bartlett highlighted healthcare access, immigration reform, and U.S.-India relations. He said he supports reviving a public healthcare option to reduce costs for families. He also called India “one of the most vital American relationships around the world.” Bartlett said Congress should strengthen economic and people-to-people ties rather than make trade and immigration harder.
“This election is a chance for the Indian American community to show its political influence,” Bartlett said.
The Democratic primary will be held Feb. 5. The special general election is scheduled for April 16. Democrats have represented the district in recent years, and the seat remains a key part of New Jersey’s suburban political landscape.
