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North The Indian Eye

AMERICANNewsline

20 NOVEMBER 13, 2026

Indian-Americans Make History Again: Six Members

Head to U.S. Congress, Two New Faces Join Capitol Hill

first Indian-American elected to rep-
OUR BUREAU
resent Virginia in Congress in 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. and strengthened his position with a
decisive victory in 2026.
he 2026 U.S. midterm elections
marked another milestone for Reflecting America’s Diversity
Tthe Indian-American commu- The success of Indian-American
nity, with six lawmakers of Indian or- candidates reflects the broader story
igin elected to the U.S on November of a community that has increasingly
3, 2026. House of Representatives, moved from achievement in medicine,
reinforcing the community’s growing technology, business, and academia
influence in American politics. Four into public leadership.
incumbent members successfully Collectively, the six members rep-
defended their seats, while two new resent a wide range of backgrounds.
lawmakers won election to Congress, Bera is a physician. Khanna is known
expanding Indian-American repre- for his work in technology and eco-
sentation on Capitol Hill. nomic policy. Jayapal built her ca-
Their victories came amid a na- reer as an immigrant-rights advocate.
tional Democratic wave that returned Subramanyam worked in technology
control of both the House and Senate policy and public service. Dandiya
to the Democratic Party and signaled emerged from education reform and
the emergence of Indian-Americans innovation leadership. Shah brought
as one of the most visible and politi- experience as a practicing physician
cally influential immigrant communi- and state legislator.
ties in the United States. Their presence in Congress mir-
The new Congress, which will rors the increasing political engage-
convene in January 2027, will include the future of American public life. Bera remains one of the most influ- ment of Indian-Americans, one of the
ential voices on U.S.-India relations
Joining her as a freshman mem-
six Indian-American representatives: fastest-growing and most highly edu-
ber of Congress is Arizona Democrat
Ami Bera, Ro Khanna, Pramila Jay- Amish Shah, whose victory restored in Washington. cated immigrant communities in the
Another prominent winner was
apal, Suhas Subramanyam, Pia Dan- the size of the informal “Samosa Ro Khanna, who captured a sixth United States. Once largely absent
diya, and Amish Shah. The victories Caucus” after the departures of two term from California’s Silicon Val- from elected office, Indian-Amer-
underscore a remarkable political senior Indian-American lawmakers, ley-based 17th Congressional District. icans are now shaping debates on
journey for a community that, just Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthy and Rep. Khanna defeated Republican chal- healthcare, technology, immigration,
two decades ago, had virtually no rep- Shri Thanedar. lenger Ritesh Tandon in a race that foreign policy, education, and eco-
resentation in the U.S. Congress. nomic development.
Dr. Amish Shah, an Arizona drew national attention because both
A New Generation Arrives emergency-room physician and for- candidates were Indian-American. A A Landmark Moment
The biggest headline of the night mer state legislator, emerged as one leading progressive voice in Congress, The 2026 midterms demonstrat-
belonged to two newcomers who won of the new Indian-American faces Khanna has become widely recognized ed that Indian-American political in-
election to Congress for the first time. heading to Capitol Hill after winning for his advocacy on technology policy, fluence is no longer an emerging trend
In Florida’s 22nd Congressional Arizona’s closely watched 1st Con- economic opportunity, and innovation. but an established force in American
District, Democrat Pia Dandiya, a gressional District race. His victory in In Washington state, Pramila Jay- democracy. With six members head-
former educator, policy leader, and a traditionally competitive district be- apal won a sixth term representing ing to the House of Representatives
technology executive, defeated Re- came part of the broader Democratic the 7th Congressional District. First and Indian-Americans occupying key
publican Casey Askar to capture one wave that helped the party regain con- elected in 2016, Jayapal has become positions across state governments
of the nation’s most competitive con- trol of the House of Representatives. one of the most prominent progres- and local offices, the community’s
gressional districts. Dandiya’s victory Veterans Retain Their Seats sive leaders in Congress and has con- voice is becoming increasingly central
turned a closely watched district blue sistently championed immigration to the nation’s political conversation.
and made her one of the newest In- The senior-most Indian-Ameri- reform, healthcare access, and civil As the 120th Congress prepares
dian-American members of Congress. can in Congress, Ami Bera, secured rights issues. to convene in January, the election of
Born to Indian immigrant parents an eighth term representing Califor- Meanwhile, Virginia’s Suhas Pia Dandiya and Amish Shah, along-
and raised in Florida, Dandiya built nia’s 3rd Congressional District. A Subramanyam secured re-election side the return of veteran lawmakers
her reputation in education before physician by training, Bera defeated from the state’s 10th Congressional Ami Bera, Ro Khanna, Pramila Jayap-
serving as a White House Fellow and Republican Robb Tucker, extending District, defeating Republican Dave al, and Suhas Subramanyam, stands
later working in the technology sector. a congressional career that began in Beckwith. A former White House as another landmark chapter in the
Her victory symbolizes the growing 2013. Widely respected for his work adviser during the Obama adminis- remarkable rise of Indian-Americans
role of Indian-Americans in shaping on healthcare and foreign affairs, tration, Subramanyam became the in public service.

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