US Midterm Elections: Who Are The Indian-Origin Candidates In The Fray?

Several candidates of Indian origin are contesting key positions across the United States as voters head to the polls for the November 3 midterm elections. From Republican Vivek Ramaswamy's bid for the Ohio governorship to Democratic lawmakers seeking another term in Congress, the contests span federal, state and local levels of government.

The candidates are representing both major political parties and are competing in states including California, Washington, Virginia, Arizona, Florida, Texas, Ohio, New York and Maryland. Some are defending seats they already hold, while others are attempting to enter elected office for the first time.

The election will also see Indian-origin candidates face one another in some constituencies, making the contests particularly interesting for the community's political representation in the US. Here's a look at the prominent Indian-origin candidates, their constituencies and the offices they are seeking.

Several Indian-American politicians are seeking to retain their seats in the US House of Representatives, while new candidates are attempting to enter the chamber. Ro Khanna — California's 17th Congressional District Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna is seeking re-election from California's 17th Congressional District, which covers parts of Silicon Valley.

He faces Republican candidate Ritesh Tandon, an Indian-origin entrepreneur. The contest is notable because both candidates have Indian roots but represent opposing political parties. Khanna, who was born in Philadelphia to Punjabi parents, is associated with the progressive wing of the Democratic Party and has frequently criticised Trump's policies.

Pramila Jayapal — Washington's 7th Congressional District Democratic Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal is seeking another term from Washington's 7th Congressional District. She is being challenged by Republican Nirav Sheth, an Indian immigrant.

Jayapal, who was born in Chennai, has represented the constituency since 2017. She is the first Indian-American woman to be elected to the US House of Representatives. The contest will see two candidates of Indian origin competing for the same congressional seat.

Ami Bera — California's 3rd Congressional District Democrat Ami Bera is seeking re-election from California's 3rd Congressional District. A physician by profession, Bera was born in the US to parents who migrated from Gujarat.

He is among the longest-serving Indian-American members of Congress and has previously co-chaired the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans. Suhas Subramanyam — Virginia's 10th Congressional District Democratic Congressman Suhas Subramanyam is also contesting for another term in the House from Virginia's 10th Congressional District.

Elected to Congress in 2024, Subramanyam became the first Indian-American to represent Virginia and the East Coast in the US House. His mother is from Bengaluru, while his father is from Chennai.