Of the 52,000 people who are eligible to vote, 10 per cent are of Punjabi origin, giving the community a say in the election. A 29 year resident of the community, Maan, 43, is director of the Yuba County Environmental Health Department and a known community activist. He also co-produces a local television show, Punjabi Waves, featuring community-based news and entertainment from the Yuba-Sutter area.

Most of the Punjabi immigrants are peach farmers. Since the canning facility was closed down there, the farmers have faced heavy losses. Both candidates have promised to work to set up a canning facility.

Maan's parents have a 100 acre farm of peaches. But they cut some of the trees because of the lack of canning facilities.

Maan said that last time he lost because he arrived on the election scene very late. This time, he started early and collected over $10,000 for his campaign.

He says another Indian standing for election will not affect his chances. "I am running on my merits. People know about me and about my work; I have overwhelming support in the community," he said.

Yuba City is about 40 miles from the state capital of Sacramento. Though a nice place to live, it lacks industries and the unemployment rate is high. Maan wants to do something to change the situation. When the children studying at universities come back to the native city, they don't have jobs, he noted.

He also wants to deal with the problem of overcrowding at the schools. Improving the infrastructure to attract business is also on his agenda.

Gill, the other candidate, is administrative vice-president of the Yuba City branch of the Butte Community Bank. He is a member of the chamber of commerce and chairman of the Fremont-Rideout Hospital Foundation.