Indian American elected officials and community leaders welcomed midterm election results that returned four incumbents to the U.S. House of Representatives, brought two newcomers, and saw South Asian candidates secure public offices across the country.
Several elected leaders spoke to South Asian Herald about the results and their significance. Ami Bera (CA-03), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), and Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) secured reelection, while newcomers Pia Dandiya won Florida’s 22nd District and Dr. Amish Shah won Arizona’s 1st District.
Following his victory, Subramanyam told South Asian Herald, “This was a big night for every person in America frustrated with the direction of our country. Change is coming, and we will have a Congress that works for the people, not the President.”
Dr. Shah declared victory on November 4. In a statement, he said, “I’m honored and humbled that the people of Arizona’s First Congressional District have chosen me to represent them in Congress. I talked to Jay Feely earlier tonight. It’s not easy running for public office, and I commend Jay on a hard-fought race.”
Advertisement
Dr. Shah pledged to represent every voter in the district, regardless of whether they supported his candidacy.
“I pledge to work in a bipartisan way in Congress, just like I did in the State House,” he added. “I pledge to do what is right, not what is politically expedient. Finally, I pledge to continue to listen to you, whether by knocking on doors or through my congressional office.”
He called for an end to “political toxicity” and urged a focus on “lowering costs, expanding health care coverage, solving our water crisis, and growing our economy.”
In her victory speech, Dandiya said, “It is my honor to be the first South Asian to represent Florida,” adding that she would become only the second South Asian woman to serve in the U.S. House.
“It’s an honor to win re-election to represent WA-07,” Jayapal said, crediting the organizers, volunteers, and voters who supported her campaign and helped secure her victory.
Reflecting on the scale of Democratic gains, Khanna said, “That is larger than the majority we had in 2008. I have not felt this good or inspired about an election since Barack Obama spoke at Grant Park.”
Virginia Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi told South Asian Herald, “Tuesday night’s Democratic victories across America, particularly here in Virginia, are a powerful reminder that representation matters. These victories reflect the growing contributions and influence of Indian Americans and South Asians in our democracy and send a powerful message to the next generation: You belong, your voice matters, and there is no limit to what you can achieve in this country.”
Maryland Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller, who won reelection alongside Governor Wes Moore, expressed gratitude to Maryland voters for entrusting them with another four years in office.
“This victory is a reflection of the progress we’ve made together and a responsibility to keep delivering for Marylanders,” she said. “Over the past four years, we’ve helped create nearly 100,000 jobs, welcomed more than 55,000 new businesses, and made historic progress on public safety, with homicides down 44% statewide. We’ve also made significant progress addressing the opioid crisis, with overdose deaths down 50% from their pandemic peak.”
Miller said the Moore-Miller administration would continue working in its second term to lower costs for families, expand economic opportunities, strengthen public safety, and maintain Maryland’s stability and opportunities amid uncertainty at the federal level.
She described serving as the first Indian American and first South Asian woman elected lieutenant governor in the United States as an extraordinary honor. Having immigrated to the country at age seven, she said she never imagined she would help lead the state she now calls home.
“The support from the Indian American community has been especially meaningful,” Miller added. “I hope my reelection inspires more young people, particularly those from immigrant families, to see themselves in positions of leadership and recognize that their backgrounds are a source of strength, not a limitation.”
Anant Nambiar, who won reelection to represent District 7 on New York’s Westchester County Board of Legislators, described the position as a privilege.
Nambiar told South Asian Herald “I am very happy to be reelected as the County Legislator representing my district. This role is a privilege, and I am proud to hear positive feedback on my efforts from many of my voters, both Democrats and Republicans, on the impact I’m having on core problems like flooding, affordability, and creating economic opportunities.”
Dr. Arvind Venkat, who won reelection to Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives in District 30, outlined his priorities following the results.
Dr. Venkat told South Asian Herald “The 2026 election sent a clear message that we must reduce costs, make healthcare more affordable and accessible, stop corruption, and be a welcoming place for immigrants. As an Indian-American legislator, I will continue to fight to make this a reality.”
Dr. Venkat said he thinks it’s special responsibility as an immigrant and naturalized citizen to make sure Pennsylvania recognizes the positive contribution of the Indian-American community and immigrants to the Commonwealth and will continue to elevate this issue.
Reflecting on South Asian victories in congressional and state legislative races, New York State political leader Jenifer Rajkumar told South Asian Herald, “Some nights remind you why the struggle is worth it. Tuesday was one of them. Across the country, South Asian Americans won seats in Congress and in state legislatures, and with each name, I thought of the families behind them: parents who crossed oceans with little more than hope, who worked long hours so their children could dream bigger than they ever could.”
Rajkumar, a former NY State Assemblywoman, described the results as a source of pride for a community whose contributions to the country are increasingly reflected in its political representation.
“When I was elected as the first South Asian woman in New York State office, I hoped I wouldn’t be the last,” she added. “Seeing this new generation of leaders rise fills my heart. To each of you, congratulations. Lead boldly, lead with compassion, and never forget the families and communities who carried you here.”
Indiaspora founder MR Rangaswami told South Asian Herald, “It is gratifying to see Indian Americans increasingly represented in public service at all levels of government, from Congress and state legislatures to school boards and city councils.”
Rangaswami said the growing number of community members elected to public office was encouraging and reflected a broader commitment to civic engagement and public service.
“It is gratifying to see our community contributing not just to business and the economy, but also to the governance and future of the country,” he added.
Indian American Impact Executive Director Chintan Patel told South Asian Herald, “Indian and South Asian Americans turned out in historic numbers, and that turnout delivered wins for values-aligned candidates up and down the ballot.”
At the time of his comments, 39 of the organization’s 56 endorsed candidates had won, while votes were still being counted in 13 races, Patel said.
Patel highlighted several milestones: Dandiya’s election as Florida’s first Indian American member of Congress, Dr. Shah’s election first Indian American member of Congress in Arizona, and Pooja Sethi’s election as the first Indian American to the Texas Legislature. He also pointed to Ranjeev Puri’s anticipated elevation to Michigan House speaker, which would make him the first South Asian to hold that position.
“In a time of rising hate, our community’s response at the ballot box was clear,” Patel added.
