Middlesex County Democrats Appoint First South-Asian Candidate To Board Of Freeholders

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ-- After an unexpected resignation, the Middlesex County Democrats have filled an empty seat on the Board Of Chosen Freeholders, and for the first time, a South Asian person will serve on the board.

Shanti Narra was selected to serve the remainder of James Polos term after he resigned Oct. 6. Narra was one of four candidates considered for the position.

Narra, a graduate of North Brunswick High School, works for The Legal Aid Society in New York, and has formerly served as member of the North Brunswick Planning Board. She has served as the Parliamentarian to the Middlesex County Organization since 2015.

Having immigrated to new Jersey from India at age three, she is the first South Asian person to hold a position on the board. Middlesex County has a thriving South Asian community, with 21% of all residents reporting that they are South Asian. Indian Americans are a large part of that group (nearly 13% of all county residents are Indian American), and Middlesex has the third highest concentration of Indian American residents in the nation.

“The MCDO ran a transparent and democratic process, which allowed our county committee members to select Councilwoman Narra from a field of extremely qualified candidates,” said Middlesex County Democratic Chairman Kevin McCabe. “She will make an outstanding member of the Board of Freeholders and Middlesex County residents are fortunate to have someone with her perspective and commitment to public service on the Board.”

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