WASHINGTON, Nov 2: Indian-American candidates are competing for public offices at various levels in the United States, from the governor’s mansion to city councils, as voters prepare to cast their ballots in the November 3 midterm elections.
Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, backed by US President Donald Trump, is contesting the Ohio gubernatorial election against Democrat Amy Acton in a closely fought contest. A victory would make him the third governor of Indian origin in the country, following Bobby Jindal of Louisiana and Nikki Haley of South Carolina.
The Indian-American community, estimated at 5.2 million, has steadily expanded its presence in American politics. One of its earliest milestones came in 1956, when Amritsar-born Dilip Singh Saund became the first Asian American and Sikh elected to the US House of Representatives. He subsequently served three terms in Congress.
In Maryland, Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller, who was born in Hyderabad, is seeking another term in the predominantly Democratic state. Meanwhile, Nithya Raman is contesting the Los Angeles mayoral election, aiming to lead the second-largest city in the United States.
Several Indian-American lawmakers currently serving in Congress are also seeking re-election. Democrats Ro Khanna, Ami Bera, Pramila Jayapal and Suhas Subramanyam are among those expected to retain their seats.
Khanna is facing Republican challenger Ritesh Tandon, an Indian-American entrepreneur, in California’s 17th Congressional District. In Washington’s 7th District, Jayapal is up against Nirav Sheth, a Gujarat born former US Marine.
Other Democrats seeking a place in the House include Pia Dandiya, a former school principal contesting against Republican Casey Aksar in Florida, and Amish Shah, an emergency medicine physician running in Arizona. Both candidates have received the backing of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee as part of the party’s efforts to gain seats.
The Republican candidate field also includes Mahesh Ganorkar in North Carolina’s 4th Congressional District. Independents Sandeep Dixit and Anil Kumar are contesting from Ohio’s 13th and Michigan’s 11th districts, respectively.
At the state level, Priya Sundareshan is seeking another term in the Arizona Senate. She currently serves as the chamber’s minority leader and could become its president if Democrats secure a majority.
In Michigan, House Minority Leader Ranjeev Puri is seeking election, with the possibility of becoming the state’s first Indian-American Speaker if Democrats gain control of the chamber.
New York has another prominent contest involving Indian-American candidate Saritha Komatireddy, a Republican running against Democratic incumbent Letitia James for the state attorney general’s position. Endorsed by Trump, Komatireddy attracted attention during the pre-election debate.
Delhi-educated Lisa Kaul is contesting for a seat in the New York State Senate, while Josh Kaul is seeking another term as Wisconsin’s attorney general.
In Texas, former immigration attorney Pooja Sethi is challenging Republican Jennifer Mushtaler for a seat in the state House of Representatives.
The community’s participation extends to local government as well. Democrat Shuchita Patel is contesting for Forsyth County Commissioner in Georgia, while Aparna Raj is seeking election to the Washington, DC, City Council.
The wide ranging participation reflects the growing political engagement of Indian Americans, with candidates seeking representation in federal, state and municipal institutions across the country.