Washington, November 5, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Indian American Democratic candidates recorded significant gains in the US midterm elections, with at least 30 winning state legislative seats and two others leading in races yet to be decided. Democrats also took control of legislative chambers in Michigan and Arizona, while Indian American city council member Nithya Raman maintained her lead in the Los Angeles mayoral contest.
Of the 41 Indian American candidates who contested state legislative seats, 30 had won, two were leading and nine had lost, according to available results. Democrats secured 28 of the 33 decided contests, while Republicans won two of six, both involving incumbents. Eight of the 30 winners were unopposed, and 15 were women.
In Michigan, House Minority Leader Ranjeev Puri won re-election from the 24th District with around 66 per cent of the vote as Democrats regained control of the state House. He could become the first Indian American and Sikh to serve as Speaker, subject to a vote by the Democratic caucus.
Arizona Senate Minority Leader Priya Sundareshan retained her 18th District seat with approximately 66 per cent. Democrats flipped both legislative chambers, creating their first statewide legislative trifecta in the state since the 1960s. Sundareshan is reportedly considering a bid for Senate President.
In Los Angeles, Raman led incumbent Mayor Karen Bass by approximately 52 per cent to 48 per cent, with around two-thirds of the expected vote counted. The race remained too close to call, with major networks withholding projections. Raman’s lead stood at roughly 27,000 votes.
Other notable victories included Jyot Singh, who won Georgia’s 97th House District with about 68 per cent, becoming the first Indian American and Sikh American elected to the state legislature, according to Indian American Impact. In Texas, Pooja Sethi won the open 47th House District with approximately 63 per cent, describing herself as the first Indian American woman and first Asian American Democratic woman elected to the Texas Legislature.
Nabeela Syed flipped Illinois’ 26th Senate District, defeating Republican Darby Hills with about 57 per cent. Lisa Kaul also unseated Republican Rob Rolison in New York’s 39th Senate District with approximately 55 per cent. In Iowa, Nikhil Wagle held a narrow lead over Republican Senator Scott Webster in District 47.
Several Indian American incumbents secured re-election. These included Ram Villivalam in Illinois, Jay Chaudhuri in North Carolina, Arvind Venkat in Pennsylvania, Anita Somani in Ohio, Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox in Connecticut, Jeremy Cooney in New York, Renuka Mayadev in Wisconsin, Ash Kalra in California and Manka Dhingra in Washington.
Other winners included Megan Srinivas in Iowa, Nima Kulkarni in Kentucky, Reuben D’Silva in Nevada, Reena Szczepanski in New Mexico and Vandana Slatter in Washington, who were unopposed. In Vermont, Kesha Ram Hinsdale and newcomer Nikhil Goyal won seats in multi-member Senate districts.
Two Indian American Republicans, Sabi “Doc” Kumar in Tennessee and Anil Beephan in New York, retained their legislative seats. Darshana Patel was leading in California’s 76th Assembly District, while Manoj Chourasia appeared to have won a seat in New Hampshire.
At the statewide level, Maryland Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller won re-election on Governor Wes Moore’s ticket, while Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul secured a third term. Republican Vivek Ramaswamy lost the Ohio governor’s race to Democrat Amy Acton, while Saritha Komatireddy was defeated in New York’s attorney general contest.
Indian Americans also registered victories in local elections, including Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill, Wake County commissioner candidate Mona Singh and Harris County education board candidate Silky Joshi-Malik.
Illinois recorded the highest number of Indian American state legislative winners with four, followed by New York with three, and Washington and Vermont with two each.
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