At least nine Indian Americans are vying for seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, with five incumbents seeking re-election and three newcomers entering the race.
Notable Candidates:
- Suhas Subramanyan: At 38, he aims to make history as the first Indian American elected from Virginia. Running in the 10th Congressional District, a Democratic stronghold, Subramanyan currently serves as a Virginia State Senator and has previously worked as a White House Advisor under President Barack Obama.
- Dr. Ami Bera: Serving as the representative for California’s 6th Congressional District since 2013, Dr. Bera is a physician and the senior-most Indian American Congressman. If the Democrats regain the majority, he is expected to take on a senior leadership role.
- Pramila Jayapal: A powerful figure within the Democratic Party, she has represented Washington State’s 7th Congressional District since 2017. Her re-election is widely anticipated, along with those of her fellow Indian American lawmakers.
- Raja Krishnamoorthi: He has held the seat for Illinois’s 7th Congressional District since 2017 and is considered a strong candidate for re-election.
- Ro Khanna: Also running for re-election, Khanna represents California’s 17th Congressional District.
- Shri Thanedar: The representative for Michigan’s 13th Congressional District since 2023, he is among the incumbents expected to win again.
Newcomers:
- Dr. Amish Shah: An emergency room physician, Shah has served in the Arizona State Assembly and is now challenging long-serving Republican David Schweikert in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District.
- Dr. Prasanth Reddy: A Republican candidate, he is contesting Kansas’s 3rd Congressional District against incumbent Democrat Sharice Davids.
- Dr. Rakesh Mohan: Also a Republican, he is running in New Jersey’s 3rd Congressional District but faces challenges in his bid.
Historically, Indian Americans have made significant strides in U.S. politics, with Dalip Singh Saund being the first elected in 1957, followed by Bobby Jindal, who served in Congress and as the Governor of Louisiana. The current landscape reflects growing representation and influence within the political system.
