Indian American Candidates Aim for Political Power in US Midterm Elections

As the US midterm elections approach, a diverse group of Indian American candidates is stepping into the political arena, aiming to secure representation for their community. With notable figures like Vivek Ramaswamy running for governor and several others contesting for congressional seats, the elections could mark a significant moment in American politics. This article delves into the candidates' backgrounds, their races, and the historical context of Indian Americans in US politics, highlighting the growing influence of this vibrant community.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 2, 2026, 21:05 IST

Indian Americans in the Midterm Elections

Washington: A diverse group of Indian American candidates is vying for various public offices in the upcoming US midterm elections, aiming to represent the interests of the 5.2 million-strong community.

Vivek Ramaswamy, a Republican candidate endorsed by former President Donald Trump, is competing for the governorship of Ohio against Democrat Amy Acton. Should he win, Ramaswamy would become the third governor of Indian descent, following Bobby Jindal from Louisiana and Nikki Haley from South Carolina.

Historically, Dilip Singh Saund made headlines in 1956 as the first Asian American and Sikh elected to the US Congress, serving three terms.

In Maryland, Aruna Miller, the Lieutenant Governor born in Hyderabad, is campaigning for re-election in a predominantly Democratic state. Meanwhile, Nithya Raman is running for mayor of Los Angeles, the second-largest city in the nation.

Current Congress members Ro Khanna, Ami Bera, Pramila Jayapal, and Suhas Subramanyam, all Democrats, are anticipated to retain their seats in the House following the elections on November 3.

Khanna is facing off against Republican Ritesh Tandon, an Indian American entrepreneur, in California's 17th district, while Jayapal is up against Republican Nirav Sheth, a former US Marine from Gujarat, in Washington's 7th District.

Pia Dandiya, a former school principal, is in a competitive race against Republican Casey Aksar in Florida, and Amish Shah, an emergency medicine physician, is running in Arizona. Both candidates have received endorsements from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Other candidates include Republican Mahesh Ganorkar in North Carolina's 4th District, and independents Sandeep Dixit in Ohio's 13th District and Anil Kumar in Michigan's 11th District.

In Arizona, Priya Sundareshan is campaigning for re-election to the state Senate and aims to become the president of the chamber if Democrats secure a majority.

Ranjeev Puri, the House Minority Leader in Michigan, is also in the race to become the first Indian American Speaker if Democrats gain control of the House.

In New York, Saritha Komatireddy, a Republican, is contesting the attorney general position against incumbent Democrat Letitia James. Komatireddy, endorsed by Trump, made a notable impression during the pre-election debates.

Lisa Kaul, educated in Delhi, is running for the New York State Senate, while Josh Kaul seeks re-election as Wisconsin's attorney general.

Pooja Sethi, a former immigration attorney, is challenging Republican Jennifer Mushtaler for a seat in the Texas House of Representatives.

In Georgia, Democrat Shuchita Patel is running for Forsyth County Commissioner, and in Washington, D.C., Aparna Raj is competing for a City Council position.