Elk Grove mayor: Running for political office isn’t easy. For a woman, it’s even harder

Running for political office is never an easy decision. For a woman, it’s even harder. We take so much under consideration. Am I qualified? Are there better candidates? Can I balance service with work and family? Will I raise enough money? Can I handle the negativity and ugliness of political campaigns?

When I decided to run for mayor of Elk Grove last year, all of these thoughts haunted me. It was three months before Election Day, and I was getting ready to take on an incumbent with a sizable war chest.

It was clear the incumbent needed to go.

I looked to many women in the community who I thought were qualified and tried to convince them to run for mayor. Not once did I pause to think it should be me. It wasn’t until Rep. Ami Bera, D-Elk Grove, called me on a Sunday afternoon to remind me of my self-worth.

I had served as a trustee for the Elk Grove Unified School District for over eight years. I represented a statewide trade association. I served on numerous local and statewide boards and commissions. I had lived in my community for almost 30 years. I ran unopposed as a school board trustee twice because I had support and respect from my community regardless of political ideology.

The definitive question was: If not me, then who?

Once I got past being in my own way, I launched a bold and aggressive campaign with a strong team of consultants and my family backing me every step of the way. It was all hands on deck, and I was not looking back.

The money came. The endorsements came. So did the ugliness of political campaigns.

I was subjected to death threats, harassment, bullying, misogyny, name-calling and so much more. I saw what other women in politics had to endure, and I saw this play out against me in real time. During a mayoral debate, the incumbent’s friends and supporters, including his former assistant while mayor, used bullhorns and sirens to silence me every time I spoke.

What they didn’t realize is that I wasn’t going to back down and be intimidated by these tactics.

Our community deserved transparency and responsible governance, and I was willing to lead the city down that path.

I was prepared to take on any opposition, and I turned to my Sikh faith and my family for inner peace and the strength to endure the negativity of the campaign. I was willing to do this for my family, for all women and for my community.

We deserved a champion for Elk Grove, not just someone looking for another notch on their political resume. I knew in my heart that Elk Grove would look past the falsehoods and lies.

I unseated the incumbent by almost 11 percentage points in a three-person race following a 90-day campaign during a pandemic. I also became the country’s first Sikh woman directly elected mayor.

Almost a year later, we have a strong governance team dedicated to the well-being of our city and residents. At grocery stores, gas stations, events and even hospitals, I meet people who feel connected to the values I campaigned on. These are daily reminders that I made the right choice.

Trust yourself. Believe in yourself. Have faith in your community. The journey may not be easy, and it may get ugly along the way. Tune out the negative people. Remember your self-worth.

Women bring so many unique perspectives and strengths to local, state and national government. Above all, remember: If not you, then who?