Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
WASHINGTON, 19th May. Neil Makhija Indian-American attorney and educator on Thursady has has won the Democratic nomination for Montgomery County Commissioner, closer to become the first Indian -American to hold the top post in State of Pennsylvania.
Makhija had decided to run for the primary election on Tuesday for Commissioner of Montgomery County,which has one of the largest Asian-American populations in Pennsylvania.
Makhija tweeted “It’s official! Our underdog campaign succeeded and I have officially won the Democratic nomination for Montgomery County Commissioner”.
“None of this would have happened without my incredible team + supporters, and for that I am immeasurably grateful. Together, we made history,” he tweeted.
Makhija is from a Sindhi family from India, will be competing in the November general election to determine control of the three-member Board of Commissioners in Pennsylvania’s third largest county with over 865,000 people.
Makhijia 36-year-old election law professor at the University of Pennsylvania if elected would be the first South Asian member to serve for the position left open by outgoing commissioner Valerie Arkoosh.
“Congratulations to my friend, @NeilMakhija, on becoming the Democratic nominee for Montgomery County (PA) Commissioner!,” Aruna Miller, Maryland’s first Indian-American Lieutenant Governor, tweeted.
Makhija said his campaign “inspired a new and diverse coalition of voters to turn out to vote in every corner of the county”.
Montgomery County Commission is the governing body of Montgomery County, consisting of five members who are elected by districts.
Commissioner is elected to a four-year term and represents 45,000 constituents.
The Montgomery County Commission’s responsibilities include control of all county public funds, adoption of an annual budget reflecting anticipated income and expenses (by law, expenditures cannot exceed revenue received).
Makhija with other commissioners, will manage a budget greater than $500 million and 3,000 employees including elections, courts, district attorney’s office, public health departments and public infrastructure.
The commissioners oversee administration of the 2024 presidential election, which is expected to put local election officials in the spotlight in battleground Pennsylvania.
Makhija has worked at the White House, Senate.
He earned his JD at Harvard Law School on the Horace Lentz Scholarship.
Makhijia a native of Pennsylvania is passionate about enfranchising underrepresented communities and engaging new citizens in state and local politics.
