Indian-origin Keshav Poddar to serve as Jersey City deputy mayor; takes oath on Bhagwat Gita

Indian-origin Keshav Poddar was recently sworn in as Jersey City's deputy mayor for housing and economic development.

Poddar took the oath on the Bhagwat Gita.


"I promised Jersey City a government that puts residents first, and Keshav is exactly the person to help deliver on that promise. He has spent his career building affordable housing and fighting for working families – in courtrooms, in state government, and at the highest levels of federal policymaking," said Jersey City Mayor-elect James Solomon, who selected Poddar - the executive director of his transition team - as the deputy mayor.

Poddar is an attorney specialising in community economic development and affordable housing construction throughout New Jersey.

He has held positions across state and federal government, most recently serving as an advisor on economic policy in the Joe Biden-Kamal Harris administration, including as an official at the National Security Council and on the staff of vice president Kamala Harris.

He also served as economic policy manager for Harris during her presidential campaign.

Prior to his federal service, Poddar was counsel to former New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, where he worked on the state’s Covid-19 response and issues including consumer protection, criminal justice reform, and opioids enforcement.

He is a graduate of Yale Law School and holds a BA in Government from Dartmouth College. A New Jersey native, he currenetly lives in Jersey City.

As deputy mayor, Poddar will oversee the coordination of housing and economic development policy across city agencies, including negotiating the construction of affordable housing, workforce housing, and other community benefits.