By Tom Walsh

Several years ago, I was hired by Vik to join a new business he was leading. From the start, what stood out wasn’t just his vision, it was how he inspired people to do their best work and created an environment where we thrived together.

When Vik told me he was running for Town Council in Westfield, it didn’t surprise me. He’s the type of leader you love to support. Just look at what those of us who worked for him have said, in our own words.

By Vik Venkataraman

Dear Neighbors & Friends,

Thank you to those who have already voted and support my campaign. It means a great deal to me and, if elected, I will do everything in my power to best represent you. To those who are still undecided, let me leave you with one final personal letter...

By Pradeep Nair

Elections have consequences — some more than others. It's clichéd to say that our choices today will shape the community we leave for future generations. But this election is also about the current state of affairs. It’s hard to disagree that we live in a deeply partisan nation. Unsurprisingly, Westfield isn't immune to it. Yet it’s vital that we rise above this divide to tackle the challenges we face, like traffic/public safety, support for small businesses and improved sports facilities — all critical to maintaining the excellent quality of life we cherish in Westfield...

By Melani Walker Dziire

I’m writing to share why I’m proud to back Vik Venkataraman for Westfield Town Council. Having had the privilege of serving alongside him in a leadership development cohort, I can attest first-hand to his authenticity, his capacity to unite people, and his steadfast commitment to making a difference.

Vik isn’t just a polished senior executive, he’s a bridge‑builder, someone who leads with integrity and empathy. In the corporate sector, he’s delivered results, led diverse teams and confronted complex challenges. He brings that same discipline, experience and strategic mindset to the political arena and will be able to hit the ground running for Westfield...

By Lou Kotsinis

Today, we’re living through a period where our politics has the power to turn neighbor against neighbor. It’s not something I’m used to. And it’s not an environment in which I want to raise my kids.

While we can’t individually affect the direction of our national politics, we can each play an important role in ensuring that we have the right leadership at the local level, right here in Westfield. 

And that’s why Ward 2 needs Vik Venkataraman.

By Vik Venkataraman

Last week’s tragic loss of a middle schooler in Scotch Plains is every parent’s nightmare and just weeks after another youth on an e-bike was hospitalized after a collision. These incidents highlight the danger many of us already see on our own streets right here in Westfield. E-bikes and e-scooters are powerful machines, capable of reaching speeds of 20 mph or more, and yet they are often ridden by children with no license, no training, and who are still too young to comprehend the risks. Nationwide, demand for e-bikes has surged: more than one million were sold in the U.S. in 2022, nearly four times the number in 2019 (U.S. Dept. of Energy)...

By Linda Habgood

Vote Vik!  

I am writing to endorse Vik Venkataraman for Westfield Town Council, Ward 2. I didn't know Vik until earlier this year when he decided to run for Council, but given how many things we have in common it is not surprising that we have become fast friends. He is a banker, a former financial advisory firm owner, and a stalwart producer and believer in the Washington School Show (WSS), a parent-run production performed for Washington Elementary students...

By Lindsay Bliss

My friend Vik Venkataraman is running for Town Council in Ward 2, and we are so lucky to have him stepping up to serve our community. From the moment I met Vik and his amazing family, I knew he was someone special. He is smart, thoughtful, and passionate and he has everything it takes, and more, to be an incredible Town Council member...

By Vik Venkataraman

“The best way to lose yourself is to find yourself in the service of others.” – Gandhi

That line has stuck with me forever. Service runs in my family. My grandmother, back in India, was a fighter for women’s rights. She showed me that leadership is about listening and showing up...

 By Katie Moen

WESTFIELD — Westfield residents will be faced with a full ballot when they head to the polls this November. Eight candidates - four Republicans and four Democrats - will be vying to secure four, four-year terms on the Westfield Town Council...

As stated by Vik Venkataraman for Westfield Town Council Ward 2, "I believe we face a growing polarization in town. Too often, we’ve politicized local issues and stopped listening to one another. I see fear stoking and finger pointing without working towards solutions. That’s not how progress happens. Whether it’s public safety, infrastructure, or downtown vibrancy, they’re all important and none of these are partisan issues."

By Michael Dardia

When I ran for town council eight years ago, I challenged myself to push through my natural reticence in meeting new people and striking up conversations.  I felt strongly about wanting to serve Ward 2 and was confident in my convictions, commitment and my ability to do the job well, but I knew that I wasn’t a natural conversationalist...

By Vik Venkataraman

Over the past year, we’ve seen a troubling shift in American culture — one where casual racism, antisemitism, and open hostility toward marginalized communities are becoming more normalized. Efforts to promote understanding are labeled as political agendas. It’s a toxic climate, one where empathy is mocked and cruelty is excused. But here in Westfield, our home, we have the chance — and the responsibility — to stand against that. For me, equity, inclusion, and respect for all aren’t controversial political statements. They are values. Human values...

By Sanketa Vaish

When I was in high school and fighting cancer, Vik was one of the people who stood by me. He didn’t just check in — he showed up. With love, encouragement, making me laugh, and this steady calm that made you feel like everything was going to be okay. That kind of presence stays with you...

By Josh Katzenstein

I first met Vik when we were both doing our first Washington School Show in 2022. We were astronauts exploring outer space to find Dr. Perry, the principal, who had, of course, been captured by aliens. As a new resident of Westfield, I didn’t really know many people in the area, but Vik made sure that I knew that he was a friend. Four shows and many other interactions later, I’ve gotten to know Vik better...

By Vik Venkataraman

My name is Vik Venkataraman. As a husband, dad, and someone who’s spent years supporting small businesses, I’m running for Town Council in Ward 2 to lead with presence, purpose, and a deep commitment to Westfield’s future.

The Westfield Democratic Committee is proud to announce its slate of candidates for the 2025 mayoral and town council elections.