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NA Newsline-Special Section NOVEMBER 20, 2026 | The Indian Eye 17

Other influential Indian American

STATE LEGISLATORS

NABEELA SYED ASH KALRA

Illinois State Senate California State Assembly
Democrat who made history as one of the veteran Indian American legislator, Kalra
A youngest Indian American women elected A represents California’s 25th Assembly Dis-
REENA SZCZEPANSKI to a state legislature. She won Illinois Senate trict. A Democrat and former San Jose city coun-
District 26 in 2026, defeating Republican Darby cilman, he has championed workers’ rights, crim-
New Mexico House Majority Floor Leader Hills with 57 per cent of the vote. Her priorities inal justice reform, housing and environmental
include education, reproductive rights and eco- protection.
eena Szczepanski occupies one of the most in- nomic opportunity. He is among the established Indian Ameri-
fluential positions in the New Mexico House
Rof Representatives as majority floor leader. A can political voices in state government.
Democrat representing the Santa Fe area, she plays JEREMY COONEY
a central role in coordinating legislation, managing New York State Senate DARSHANA PATEL
the majority party’s priorities and negotiating the California State Assembly
passage of bills. Before entering the legislature, she orn in Kolkata and adopted as an infant,
worked in public policy and community advocacy, BCooney represents Rochester and surround- scientist and educator, Patel represents Cali-
including leadership roles in organisations address- ing communities. He is chair of the Senate Trans- A fornia’s 76th Assembly District. A Democrat
ing social justice and public health. Her legislative portation Committee and has been an important with a background in molecular biology and pub-
interests include healthcare, education, economic voice on infrastructure, public transport and eco- lic education, she brings scientific expertise to
opportunity and support for working families. Her nomic development. He was re-elected in 2026. debates on education, healthcare, research and
position places her at the centre of negotiations over environmental policy. She was re-elected in No-
the state’s legislative agenda and budget priorities. vember 2026.
KRISH SUBRAHMANIAN

Minnesota State Senate ARVIND VENKAT
paediatrician and healthcare executive, Sub-
A rahmanian entered the Minnesota Senate in Pennsylvania House of Representatives
2026, representing District 49. Born in St Paul n emergency physician, Venkat represents
to Indian immigrant parents, he brings a medi- APennsylvania’s 30th House District. His pro-
cal and public-health background to legislative fessional experience in medicine has informed
debates. His election adds another professional his work on healthcare access, public health and
voice to the growing Indian American presence the state’s medical system. He is among the Indi-
in state politics. an American lawmakers strengthening represen-
tation in the northeastern United States.
JYOT SINGH

Georgia House of Representatives LISA KAUL
ingh became the first Indian American and New York State Senate
Sfirst Sikh American elected to the Georgia orn in India and educated at Delhi Universi-
JAY CHAUDHURI
legislature in 2026. Representing House District Bty and Oxford, Kaul defeated a Republican
NORTH CAROLINA SENATE DEMOCRATIC WHIP 97, he grew up in Norcross in a working-class incumbent to win New York’s 39th Senate Dis-
immigrant family and attended Yale University. trict in 2026.
ay Chaudhuri is one of the most influential His election is a milestone for the Sikh American Her academic background in anthropology
Indian American legislators in the American community in the American South. and experience in public service add to the grow-
JSouth. Representing District 15, which in- ing diversity of Indian American representation
cludes Raleigh, Cary and Garner, he serves as Dem- POOJA SETHI in state legislatures.
ocratic whip in the North Carolina Senate, a position
he has held since the 2019-20 session. Born in Chat- Texas House of Representatives SABA HAIDER
tanooga to Indian immigrant parents, he attended ethi became the first Indian American wom-
public schools in Fayetteville before graduating from San elected to the Texas Legislature in 2026, Illinois House of Representatives
Davidson College, Columbia University and North winning House District 47. Her campaign fo- riginally from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh,
Carolina Central University School of Law. He pre- cused on public education, affordable health- OHaider won election to the Illinois House in
viously served as special counsel to Attorney Gen- care and infrastructure. She represents a sig- 2026 from District 84. A wildlife scientist with a
eral Roy Cooper and as general counsel to the state nificant breakthrough for Indian American master’s degree from Aligarh Muslim University,
treasurer. His priorities include education, public political representation in one of the country’s she brings an environmental and community-de-
safety and technology-sector jobs. largest and most politically influential states. velopment perspective to state politics.
His public-service philosophy: “Fighting for and
working on behalf of the people of North Carolina.”

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