Indian-American Democrat lawmakers show an upsurge during the US midterms. A total of five Indian-Americans from the ruling party are elected to the House of Representatives.
Indian Americans elected in US midterms
While the US midterms did not see the expected ‘Red Wave’, it is turning in favor of Indian-Americans from the ruling party. Indian Americans make up one percent of the US population. However, the numbers among the candidates reflect their presence in the community. Ami Bera, Pramila Jayapal, Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Ro Khanna from the ruling party were elected.
49-year-old Raja Krishnamoorthi was re-elected for the fourth time with a comfortable margin. He won in the eighth Congressional District of Illinois against Chris Dargis. Shri Thanedar, an Indian-American democrat politician became the first from the community to win the polls from Michigan. Previously an entrepreneur, he was successful in defeating Martell Bivings, the Republican candidate. The 67-year-old will be representing the third district.
More on other candidates
Ro Khanna, a 46-year-old Indian-American won against Republican Ritesh Tandon in California’s 17th Congressional District. The win was his second consecutive win. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal is the only female Indian-American lawmaker in the US House of Representatives. She defeated Cliff Moon, her GOP rival in Washington State’s 7th Congressional District.
“I am so grateful to the people of Washington’s 7th Congressional District for sending me back to Congress. I promise to always fight for each and every one of you,” tweeted Jayapal.
Other candidates include Ami Bera and Aruna Miller. Bera is the longest-serving Indian-American in congress and has been representing the 7th Congressional District of California since 2013. Miller is credited for making history by becoming the first to win the race for Lieutenant Governor. Moreover, the former delegate to the Maryland house was on the ticket along with the Democratic Governor-elect, Wes Moore.
