Minita Sanghvi Announces Run For NY State Senate

Photo: Minita Sanghvi with her family

India-West Staff Reporter

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – Saratoga Springs Finance Commissioner and Minita Sanghvi, a Democrat, has announced her candidacy for the 44th State Senate District in New York’s Capital Region.

The district, which includes Saratoga County, Niskayuna, and the City of Schenectady, is currently represented by Republican incumbent Jim Tedisco, who had represented a different district for decades before choosing to run in the 44th District after redistricting. Registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by nearly 6,000 in the district and President Biden beat Donald Trump by 12 percentage points in 2020. 

“I’m running for State Senate because we deserve better,” said Sanghvi. “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.”

Born to a conservative family of entrepreneurs and innovators in India, Sanghvi was taught by her parents to work hard, stand up for others, and serve her community, a statement from her office said. After earning a degree in accounting and an MBA, and working in advertising, Sanghvi immigrated to the United States in 2001 because America offered her the opportunity to be herself and pursue her dream of getting married and raising a family.

After working as an Assistant Manager at Walmart, in corporate marketing, and starting her own business, Sanghvi found her passion in educating college students and has been teaching business at Skidmore College for nearly ten years.

While raising a young son with her wife, Megan, Sanghvi earned the trust of her neighbors in 2021 and was elected to serve as the Saratoga Springs Finance Commissioner. She has been called the “voice of reason” by the council for her problem-solving approach.

If elected, Sanghvi will be the first openly gay and first woman of color to represent New York’s 44th State Senate District, and the first openly gay woman in the New York Senate. “I believe in protecting rights and freedoms for all residents, no matter where they live or what political party they belong to,” said Sanghvi. “I’ll protect women’s access to health care, defend LGBTQ rights, and ensure everyone has an equal shot at the same American Dream this country has given to me.

“My opponent has been in the New York State legislature for 40 years and is out of touch with our communities,” Sanghvi said. “Our district is growing and changing, and we need new ideas and a new vision.”
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