Another Indian-American running for New York City Council

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Dr. Neeta Jain, a psychologist and long-time resident of Flushing, is making a bid to fill the seat being vacated by former District 24 Neww York City Councilman Rory Lancman.

If she wins, she will be fill the remainder of Lancman’s term till the June 22, when the Democratic primaries are scheduled.

Lancman is leaving to take up his new assignment in Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration as special counsel for ratepayer protection.

The special election where Jain is a candidate is scheduled to take place Feb. 2. Jain is the second Indian American to declare a run for the New York City Council, the other being political activist and community leader Harpreet Singh Toor who is seeking the Democratic Party nomination from District 23 in Eastern Queens. The primary for that is scheduled for June. 22.

Currently, Jain is the only Indian-American woman Democrat District Leader, according to a press release from her campaign. State Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar also served as a Democratic District Leader in the past.

Dr. Jain recently released an ad campaign entitled, “​Community First​” in her attempt to reach out to the community, and it also includes runs on Bengali and Indian TV stations, the press release said.

The 30-second video highlights COVID-19’s devastating impact on the district from health to jobs and businesses.

“We need strong leaders to help guide a fair recovery. Dr. Neeta Jain is a psychologist who dedicated her life to supporting children in our schools, advocated nonviolence to keep our streets safe, and fighting for better mental healthcare,” says the narrator in the ad.

“I’m running for City Council District 24 to help our residents heal,” said Jain in the ad.

The TV ad was joined by a mail piece and caravan through the district.

The mail piece, according to the press release, targeted more than 12,000 voters, and the caravan through the district took place on Saturday, January 23​ to coincide with the first day of early voting.

The two day caravan divided the district into two sections. On both Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 23 and 24, supporters kicked off the caravan at 150-25 61st Rd, Flushing NY 11367. On Saturday, the caravan traveled through the eastern portion of the district and Sunday the western portion.

Early voting runs until Jan. 31 at three locations throughout the 24th Council District: Queens College, Helen Marshall Cultural Center at Queens Borough Hall, and York College Academic Core Building.

Voters can find their poll site by going to https://findmypollsite.vote.nyc/.

Dr. Jain’s campaign notes that she has been endorsed by Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, D-NY; Councilman Peter Koo; TV Asia; the South Asian Times, Democratic District Leader Gurdip Singh Narula, the Himalayan Democratic Club, Rabbi Romiel Daniel, and Rabbi Moshe Saks.

An elected Democratic National Committee Delegate for Biden-Harris, an educator, and founder and President of the International Ahimsa Foundation, Dr. Jain has 30 years of experience as a practicing psychologist.

She has served as President of Daniel Patrick Moynihan Democratic Club, Senior Vice President and Trustee of Hindu Center Inc., Chair of the Community Advisory Board of India Home, and former member of the Parent Council of Barnard College, Columbia University.

She lives with her husband in Flushing, Queens where she has lived for the last 30 years and raised her children.