Mayor Gary Singh’s First State of the City: A Conservative Vision Takes Root in Union City
New mayor’s inaugural address signals a return to fiscal responsibility and traditional values in Bay Area politics
Union City, California witnessed a historic moment on Friday evening, October 17, 2025, as Mayor Gary Singh delivered his first State of the City Address at the Ruggieri Senior Center. The two-hour event, which drew community members from across the city, marked not just a ceremonial milestone but a potential turning point for conservative governance in one of the Bay Area’s most diverse municipalities.
A Fresh Conservative Voice in Liberal Territory
Mayor Singh’s ascension to the mayor’s office represents something of a political anomaly in the overwhelmingly liberal Bay Area landscape. His victory in the November 2024 election, where he topped a three-way field to replace long-serving Mayor Carol Dutra-Vernaci, signals a growing appetite among Union City residents for pragmatic, fiscally conservative leadership that prioritizes results over rhetoric.
In his inaugural address, Singh emphasized themes that would resonate strongly with conservative voters: “sound financial stewardship, economic growth, major infrastructure improvements, and a deep commitment to community safety, and quality of life.” These aren’t just campaign talking points—they represent a fundamental shift in priorities that could serve as a model for other Bay Area communities grappling with the failures of progressive governance.
Fiscal Responsibility Takes Center Stage
Perhaps the most significant accomplishment highlighted in Singh’s address was the adoption of the City’s Biennial Budget—a document that reflects his administration’s commitment to responsible financial management. Unlike many Bay Area cities that have struggled with budget deficits, pension obligations, and wasteful spending, Union City under Singh’s leadership appears to be charting a more sustainable course.
The biennial budget approach itself demonstrates conservative financial principles in action. By planning expenditures over a two-year period, the city can avoid the short-term thinking that has plagued many California municipalities. This longer-term perspective allows for more strategic allocation of resources and reduces the temptation to engage in the kind of fiscal gimmickry that has become commonplace in progressive-led cities.
Singh’s emphasis on “sound financial stewardship” sends a clear message to taxpayers that their money will be treated with respect. In an era when California cities routinely face budget crises and turn to tax increases as their first solution, Union City’s focus on responsible spending represents a refreshing alternative approach.
Economic Growth Through Business-Friendly Policies
The mayor’s highlighting of “growth in the local business community” reveals another key conservative principle at work: the understanding that a thriving private sector is essential for community prosperity. Rather than viewing businesses as sources of revenue to be extracted through excessive taxation and regulation, Singh’s administration appears to recognize them as partners in building a stronger community.
This pro-business stance is particularly noteworthy in the Bay Area, where many cities have adopted hostile attitudes toward commerce and entrepreneurship. From San Francisco’s struggles with retail closures to Oakland’s challenges with business relocations, the region has provided numerous examples of how anti-business policies can devastate local economies.
Union City’s focus on supporting local businesses suggests a more pragmatic approach—one that recognizes that job creation and economic opportunity are essential for maintaining the tax base that funds essential city services. This understanding of basic economic principles sets Singh’s administration apart from many of his Bay Area counterparts.
Infrastructure Investment: Building for the Future
Singh’s emphasis on “major infrastructure improvements” demonstrates another conservative governance principle: investing in the fundamental building blocks of community prosperity rather than pursuing ideological pet projects. Infrastructure investment, when done wisely, creates jobs, improves quality of life, and provides long-term benefits that justify the expenditure of taxpayer dollars.
The mayor specifically highlighted the city’s “investment in the City’s Parks and Open Spaces,” which reflects a understanding that quality-of-life amenities are essential for attracting and retaining residents and businesses. This isn’t about grandiose spending on unnecessary projects—it’s about maintaining and improving the basic infrastructure that makes communities livable and attractive.
This focus on infrastructure also suggests a practical approach to governance that prioritizes tangible results over symbolic gestures. While many progressive politicians focus on virtue signaling and ideological purity, Singh’s administration appears committed to delivering concrete improvements that residents can see and appreciate.
Community Safety: A Non-Negotiable Priority
Perhaps most importantly, Singh’s “deep commitment to community safety” addresses one of the most fundamental responsibilities of local government. In an era when many Bay Area cities have seen rising crime rates and deteriorating public safety conditions, Union City’s emphasis on this core function of government is both refreshing and necessary.
The focus on community safety reflects conservative principles that prioritize the protection of law-abiding citizens and the maintenance of order. This stands in stark contrast to the soft-on-crime policies that have plagued many California cities, leading to increased property crime, public disorder, and a general decline in quality of life.
Community Engagement: Democracy in Action
Singh’s call for increased “opportunities for community involvement” demonstrates another important conservative principle: the belief that effective governance requires active citizen participation. Rather than relying on bureaucratic expertise or progressive activism, the mayor appears committed to ensuring that ordinary residents have a voice in their local government.
This emphasis on community engagement reflects a democratic conservative approach that values the wisdom and input of citizens. It suggests an administration that will be responsive to the needs and concerns of residents rather than pursuing an ideological agenda imposed from above.
A Model for Conservative Governance
Mayor Singh’s first State of the City Address reveals an administration that understands the fundamental principles of effective conservative governance: fiscal responsibility, economic growth, infrastructure investment, public safety, and community engagement. These aren’t revolutionary concepts—they’re time-tested approaches to local government that have proven successful in communities across America.
What makes Singh’s approach particularly significant is its location in the heart of the Bay Area, where progressive orthodoxy has dominated local politics for decades. His success in Union City could provide a roadmap for other conservative candidates and officials seeking to offer voters an alternative to failed progressive policies.
The mayor’s emphasis on results over rhetoric, practical solutions over ideological purity, and fiscal responsibility over wasteful spending represents exactly the kind of leadership that communities need in these challenging times. As Singh noted, “Union City is growing stronger,” and his conservative approach to governance appears to be a key factor in that success.
Looking Forward
As Mayor Singh continues to implement his vision for Union City, conservative observers across California will be watching closely. His administration’s success could demonstrate that conservative principles remain viable and attractive to voters, even in supposedly liberal strongholds.
The State of the City Address was more than just a ceremonial event—it was a declaration of principles and a commitment to effective governance. For conservatives seeking evidence that their values can still win elections and produce results, Union City under Gary Singh’s leadership may provide the proof they’ve been looking for.
In a political environment often dominated by division and extremism, Singh’s focus on practical solutions and community building offers hope that effective governance is still possible. His first State of the City Address suggests that Union City residents made the right choice in electing a mayor committed to conservative principles and proven results.
The recording of Mayor Singh’s State of the City Address is available on the City of Union City’s official website for residents who were unable to attend the October 17 event at the Ruggieri Senior Center.
