Jaskirat Singh Sondh, candidate for city of Rancho Cucamonga’s Office of the Mayor

As part of Inland Valley News’ Your Vote, Your Voice election coverage, the newspaper is introducing candidates seeking to represent communities throughout the Inland Valley in the November 3 general election.

Jaskirat Singh Sondh is seeking election as mayor of Rancho Cucamonga, where voters will choose among five candidates for the at-large position. The City of Rancho Cucamonga lists Sondh’s ballot designation as “Businessman.”

Sondh is campaigning on housing affordability, community investment and infrastructure, while arguing that the city needs a new approach to development and municipal services.

“The city needs to head in a new direction,” Sondh said in his response to Inland Valley News’ candidate questionnaire.

He said he believes maintenance of parks, roads and other public infrastructure has not kept pace with the community’s needs and wants the city to rethink its approach to development.

Affordability, Housing and Community Investment

Sondh identified affordability, housing and community investment as three of the most pressing issues facing Rancho Cucamonga.

He said rising grocery and housing costs are putting greater pressure on residents and argued that the city needs more public spaces and community-oriented amenities.

“When the only third space is a shopping mall it doesn’t scream this is a city focused on community or creating a family friendly environment to live in,” Sondh said. “We can do better.”

Sondh also identified housing affordability and infrastructure and transportation among his policy concerns.

A Different Approach to Affordable Housing

If elected, Sondh said his first major priority would be developing a local housing model inspired by Vienna’s approach to housing and incorporating a community land trust.

Under his proposal, land would remain in a community land trust while developers worked with prospective buyers on housing projects. Sondh said separating the cost of land from the home itself could reduce purchase prices and help preserve affordability over time.

He described the idea as a way to create housing that remains affordable across generations.

The proposal represents one of the more specific policy ideas Sondh included in his questionnaire and would require decisions about financing, land acquisition, development partnerships and local implementation if pursued by the city.

Business and Financial Background

Sondh said his experience as a business owner and his educational background have prepared him to manage city finances and operations.

He said he owns several small businesses and holds a degree in accounting with an emphasis in taxation, along with a minor in real estate.

Sondh said his professional experience has included budgeting, cost analysis and employee management for more than a decade.

He also offered a less traditional example of his interest in municipal planning: city-building and economic-management video games.

In his free time, Sondh said he plays games including Cities: Skylines, Hearts of Iron IV and Victoria 3, which involve economic, strategic and development decisions.

Meeting Residents Where They Are

Sondh said his approach to constituent engagement would focus on meeting residents outside traditional government settings.

“You shouldn’t have to go to the city council meetings to be heard by your public servants,” he said.

Sondh said he believes elected officials should spend time in public spaces, listen to residents’ everyday concerns and then translate those concerns into policy proposals.

He described his philosophy as “from the masses, to the masses.”

Sondh said he would also use social media and other forms of outreach to make himself accessible to residents who may not regularly attend City Council meetings.

Political and Community Involvement

Sondh said he serves as a political educator within an Inland Empire chapter of Democratic Socialists of America and helps organize members around various causes.

His campaign website also identifies him as a democratic socialist and DSA member.

Sondh said he is active within his Sikh community at his gurdwara and views his experience managing workers at his businesses as another form of leadership.

He described his workplace approach as focused on creating an environment that is safe and welcoming to employees and customers.

On Development and Campaign Influence

Asked what distinguishes him from the other candidates, Sondh said he views himself as independent of developer interests and questioned campaign contributions involving other candidates.

Because those assertions concern other campaigns and outside financial interests, Inland Valley News is treating them as the candidate’s stated position rather than as independently established fact.

Sondh said his governing philosophy would prioritize residents over private financial interests.

“I fight for the people not capital,” he said.

Beyond the Ballot

Away from politics, Sondh said he is an avid reader and considers reading an important part of developing his ideas and perspectives.

His favorite local restaurant or small business is Tio’s Tacos, where he said he takes advantage of the Taco Tuesday promotion.

His favorite community event is Movies in the Park, and his drink of choice is matcha. Sondh recommended Wow Kebab as another local place residents should visit.

He is currently reading Blackshirts and Reds: Rational Fascism and the Overthrow of Communism by Michael Parenti.

Asked for one word or phrase friends and family would use to describe him, Sondh answered “Mamdan-IE,” an apparent reference to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the Inland Empire. Sondh’s campaign website also references Mamdani in describing Sondh’s affiliation with Democratic Socialists of America.

His Message to Voters

If elected, Sondh said he hopes residents will see him as someone who listens, cares and advocates for working-class families.

He also said he wants younger residents to become more engaged with local government and optimistic about their future.

In his final message, Sondh urged voters not to allow national political labels to overshadow local concerns.

“Do not let national labels divide us, whether Democrat, Republican, or Independent,” Sondh said. “We all want a city that serves the people, we may have different visions, but ultimately, we fight the same fight. We fight for a better future. We fight for our children. A better world is possible!”

Sondh listed Fontana mayoral candidate Joz Sida as an endorsement in his questionnaire. His campaign website currently lists Sida and UA Local 398 among its endorsements.