NEW YORK, Nov 6: India born Democrat Saba Haider has secured a decisive victory in the US midterm elections, winning a seat in the Illinois House of Representatives and becoming the first South Asian woman to enter the state’s General Assembly.
Haider won the election from Illinois’ 84th District with 70.9 per cent of the total votes, polling 20,756 ballots against Republican candidate Brian Scopa, who received 8,520 votes, accounting for 29.1 per cent.
The constituency covers parts of Will, DuPage, Kane and Kendall counties, including Aurora, Naperville, Oswego, Montgomery and Boulder Hill.
Celebrating her victory, Haider took to social media on Thursday to thank voters and supporters who stood behind her campaign.
“We did it! We worked hard for the last 15 months talking to voters in every corner of District 84 to learn what they care about, what they want to see change, and how we can work together to build stronger, more prosperous, and more inclusive communities,” she said.
She expressed gratitude to her family, friends, campaign staff and volunteers, describing the electoral effort as a grassroots movement driven by community participation.
Haider said the election was ultimately about the people living in the constituency and their collective aspirations for a better future.
She dedicated the victory to those who believe in building an Illinois that is fair, just and welcoming to everyone, adding that she looked forward to continuing her public service.
Before entering the state legislature, Haider served as a member of the DuPage County Board and worked as a community advocate. Her experience in local administration and public engagement helped shape her political campaign, which focused on addressing the concerns of residents and working families.
Born in India, Haider comes from a family with roots in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr district. She moved to the United States around two decades ago and subsequently established her life and career in Illinois.
During her campaign, she highlighted her commitment to giving back to the community that helped her and her family settle in the state.
Haider had emphasised the importance of taking local concerns to Springfield, the Illinois state capital, and working with other elected representatives to develop solutions to issues affecting ordinary residents.
She also spoke about the financial and social challenges confronting working families, saying her personal experiences had helped her understand their difficulties.
Her election marks a significant achievement for the South Asian community in Illinois, particularly for women of Indian origin seeking greater representation in American politics.
Apart from her political and community involvement, Haider has an academic background in wildlife science. She is an alumna of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), where she completed her Master of Science degree in Wildlife Science.
Her electoral success has also drawn appreciation from the university community. The AMU Network congratulated her on the achievement, describing it as a proud moment for the institution and its alumni.
Haider’s victory adds to the growing presence of Indian-origin politicians in American public life. Her journey from India to elected office in Illinois highlights the increasing participation of immigrant communities in the country’s democratic and political institutions.
With her election to the 84th District seat, Haider is set to take her community-focused approach to the Illinois legislature, where she will represent residents and work on issues concerning the constituency.