The House ‘Samosa Caucus’ gained a new member as Shri Thanedar, a Democrat, won a seat in Detroit, Michigan. Michigan State Rep. Shri Thanedar has been elected to the U.S. House in Michigan’s newly drawn 13th district, covering the City of Detroit, beating out Republican challenger Martell Bivings.
Shri Thanedar spent the first 24 years of his life in Belgaum, Dharwad, and Mumbai. The story of Thanedar is inspirational, to say the least. Having lived a humble life in Karnataka’s Belgaum, coming to the US with as little as $20, and then going on to become a Congressman is nothing short of a fairytale. The millionaire entrepreneur poured $10 million into his race.
‘Samosa Caucus’ re-elected, adds one more
Three of the four Indian American members of the House of Representatives handily won their re-election bids as Democrats struggled to retain control of the House and the Senate. The result for the 6th Congressional District, where Rep. Ami Bera is running, was not declared till Thursday. Bera had amassed 36, 176 votes, 56 percent. Shri Thanedar from Michigan is the new addition to the group.
Pramila Jayapal, D-Washington
Pramila Jayapal thrashed her Republican challenger, Cliff Moon, garnering 85 percent of all votes. Jayapal is the first Indian American woman in the House, and chair of the House Progressive Caucus. She has served in Congress since 2017.
Quote: “Thank you from the bottom of my heart to voters in #WA07 for re-electing me with such a huge margin to serve another term in the House! I am humbled, honored & I promise I will keep fighting for our freedoms, for our families & for the opportunity for everyone to thrive,” Jayapal tweeted on election night.
Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Illinois
Raja Krishnamoorthi fended off Republican challenger Chris Dargis. Krishnamoorthi has held his seat since 2017. He was born in New Delhi and immigrated to the US with his parents when he was just three months old.
Quote: “Whatever side you’re on in this election, those on the other side are not your enemy,” Krishnamoorthi said, “We are all Americans, and we must work together on behalf of a better and stronger nation.”
Ro Khanna, D-California
Rep. Ro Khanna serves Fremont and portions of Silicon Valley and handily beats off Republican challenger Ritesh Tandon. Khanna and Tandon also faced off in 2020.
Ami Bera, D-California
Rep. Ami Bera represents portions of Sacramento in California’s District 6. The former physician serves as chair of the powerful House Foreign Affairs subcommittee on Asia.
Srinivas wins Iowa House District 30 race
Megan Srinivas, an infectious disease physician, defeated Jerry Cheevers. She is the youngest woman of color ever elected to the Iowa legislature. Srinivas will represent the south side of Des Moines.
She becomes the second Indian American woman to serve in Iowa House after Swati Dandekar.
Quote: “I’m so honored that the Southside is trusting me to be their voice in the State Capitol. I have served my community through my work in healthcare, and I look forward to bringing my experience to the legislature. I’m ready to get to work,” she said.
Nabeela Syed, 23, writes history with a win
23-year-old Nabeela Syed has written history as the youngest representative to have won the election for the 51st House district of the Illinois state legislature in the US.
Quote: “My name is Nabeela Syed. I’m a 23-year-old Muslim, Indian-American woman. We just flipped a Republican-held suburban district,” she tweeted.
Dr. Venkat turns red district into blue in PA
Democrat Dr. Arvind Venkat has become the first Indian-American to enter the Pennsylvania state House of Representatives by winning in District 30.
Quote: “Thank you to the voters of House District 30 — McCandless, Franklin Park, Ohio Twp, Kilbuck, Emsworth, Ben Avon, Ben Avon Heights, and Western Hampton Twp. I’m honored to be elected to serve as your State Representative,” he tweeted.
Dr. Vandana Slatter, D-Washington
Dr. Vandana Slatter has won the re-election as Washington state representative in the 48th Legislative District.
Quote: “Thank you, 48th district voters! Profoundly grateful for every vote and honored to continue representing such a dynamic and diverse district. You inspire me every day,” she tweeted.
Aruna Miller makes history as first South Asian woman elected lieutenant governor
Aruna Miller, a former Democratic state legislator, made history in Maryland on Tuesday as the nation’s first South Asian woman to be elected state lieutenant governor.
Miller, who emigrated from India in 1972 at age 7 and became a U.S. citizen in 2000, is also the first immigrant to win the lieutenant governor’s office and the first Asian American elected statewide in Maryland.
Quote: “Ever since I came to this country in 1972, I’ve never stopped being excited for the promise of America. I will never stop fighting to make sure that promise is available to everyone,” she tweeted after the victory.
