Terrorism, racism and violence pushed Rano Singh into politics.

The Democratic candidate for state treasurer said the shooting death of a fellow Sikh, gas-station owner Balbir Singh Sodhi of Mesa, after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks "catapulted me into public service."

She joined the state attorney general's Hate Crimes Task Force that year, became president of the India Association of Phoenix and in 2002, was appointed by Gov. Janet Napolitano to the Citizens Finance Review Commission. In 2004, Singh ran for the state Legislature.

She said she wants to use her management skills to clean up the Treasurer's Office. [Link]