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www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know (January 10, 2025 - January 16, 2025) January 16, 2025 10 News India Times Community In Midst Of Race For US Senate, Rep. Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill To Step Down From House Select Committee On US-Chinese Competition C ongressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Ranking Member of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, announced Jan. 5, 2026, he is stepping down later this month from his role in leading the Democrats in the Committee. In a statement Krishnamoorthi thanked Democratic Party leader Hakeem Jeffries for placing him in that Select Committee where he served for the past 3 years, making him the first Indian American to ever lead a congressio- nal committee as Chair or Ranking Member. (Krishnamoorthi is currently running for and poised to win upcoming Democratic primaries this February for his race to enter the US Senate (RajaforIL.com).) In his statement regarding the Committee, Krish- namoorthi also thanked the members for their “serious- ness, expertise, and a strong sense of responsibility” even though members did not always agree, but “we consis- tently found ways to collaborate, seek common ground, and focus on strengthening America’s long-term com- petitiveness and security.” He also had words of appreciation for Staff carrying out the day-to-day tasks of the Committee. “Their focus was not only on confronting the challenges posed by the Chinese Communist Party, but on advancing policies that unlock American innovation, protect workers and con- sumers, and ensure that the United States remains the world’s leading economic and technological power.” He said he was proud that together members of both parties were able to build a bipartisan Committee that served the nation. “Our efforts advanced policies to protect American innovation, secure critical supply chains, counter forced labor and economic coercion, and prevent U.S. capital and technology from being used to undermine our security or values. Just as importantly, we demonstrated that the United States can compete from a position of confidence by investing in our people, our ideas, and our democratic institutions.” The Congressman dwelt on the challenges posed by China in several domains, and emphasized there were no easy answers. Meeting these challenges, “demands nuance and seriousness, a commitment to practical and enforceable policy solutions, and an unwavering resolve to strengthen American competitiveness without suc- cumbing to fear or prejudice.” US SENATE CAMPAIGN Krishnamoorthi is running for a US Senate seat from Illinois, and currently he is among the frontrunners for his party’s support in the primaries. According to an announcement January 5, from his campaign, the Indian American candidate has a 28 point lead over other contenders to date. Early voting in Illiois is set to begin February 5, 2026. The campaign raised nearly $3.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2025, marking a fourth consecutive quarter of raising more than $3 million. “He has far outraised his opponents in every quarter of the primary so far. The campaign ended 2025 with over $15.2 million cash on hand,” his campaign said. Krishnamoorthi’s ‘Raja For Illinolis’ campaign man- ager Brexton Isaacs expressed confidence about winning not just the primary race, but also the general election come November 2026. “With seventy days to go, eight months of momentum at our back, and a strong founda- tion of grassroots support, we are the only team in this race that is built to win,” Isaacs said. By a StaffWriter PHOTO:@RajaforIL Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Illinois, on the campaign trail. Combat Veteran Pulkit Desai Sworn-In As Mayor Of Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey P arsippany-Troy Hills township in northern New Jersey, made history, swearing-in an Indian American Mayor – Pulkit Desai – on Janu- ary 3, 2026, who will now head the largest municipality in Morris County, with a population of around 56,000. Desai, a US Marine, defeated his rival James Barberio by less than 100 votes in last November’s election. Currently on Mayor Desai’s website, only his photo is displayed and the bio is yet to be upload- ed as of January 9. In the same November 3 election, another Indian American, Diya Patel, was elected as a city council member, as was the 3rd member of the teamMatthew Kavanaugh. Desai, Patel and Kavanaugh unseated the Republicans last November, handing the city to Democrats after 40 years. His campaign website- teamparsip- pany2025.com – shows Desai is a Marine Corps veteran, a cybersecurity leader, and President of Lake Parsippany Property Owner’s Association. “Pulkit Desai is a problem solver dedicated to making Parsippany a more affordable, sustainable, and prosperous place to live,” the campaign website says, adding, “An immigrant who became a U.S. Citizen and proud veteran of our Armed Forces, Pulkit brings professional exper- tise and personal passion to the challeng- es facing our township.” Introduced to politics through his position as President of the Lake Parsip- pany Property Owner’s Association, Desai is credited with championing improved infrastructure and transparency in local decision-making. He built a coalition and was elected to lead the Association by his fellow residents. “Pulkit has worked with all corners of Lake Parsippany to implement solutions for the neighborhood. … Pulkit’s vision centers on safe neighborhoods, budget sanity, affordability, and transparency in your local government. He is committed to restoring trust at Town Hall and serving the residents of the community he’s proud to call home,” says the website. By a StaffWriter T he Indian American community in the tri-state NewYork area hosted a fundraiser January 4, 2026, in Queens to support Raj Goyle, Democratic Primary candidate for NewYork State Comptroller. The event was hosted by community members Dr. Thomas Abraham, Alex Esthappan, and Vim K. Goyal, a press release from organizers said. The current incumbent Comptroller is Thomas DiNapoli who was first elected back in 2007. Another Democratic can- didate running in the primary is Drew Warshaw an activist for affordable hous- ing. The primaries are scheduled for June 23, 2026. Organizers described the Goyle fundraiser as a “successful” event which brought together a broad cross-section of community leaders and supporters. The event exceeded its fundraising goal, raising more than $7,000, “a clear indica- Indian Americans Host Fundraiser For Raj Goyle, Candidate For NY State Comptroller By a StaffWriter PHOTO:@teamparsippany2025.com PHOTO:Parsippany.net Pulkit Desai, incoming Mayor of Parsippany, NJ, with councilmembers Matthew Kavanaugh, left, and Diya Patel, center, on the campaign trail last year, for Parsippany, NJ council. Parsippany Mayor Pulkit Desai. - Continued On Page 12