NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Washington, DC, November 4, 2026: Five Indian American Democrats have won seats in the U.S. House of Representatives following Tuesday’s midterm elections, with four incumbents securing reelection and political newcomer Pia Dandiya making history as the first Indian American elected to Congress from Florida. A sixth Indian American candidate, Democrat Amish Shah, was leading in Arizona as vote counting continued Wednesday.
Ami Bera and Ro Khanna of California, Pramila Jayapal of Washington, and Suhas Subramanyam of Virginia retained their congressional seats, while Dandiya won a closely watched contest in Florida’s 22nd Congressional District.
Dandiya’s victory was among the most notable developments for the Indian American community. The former teacher and high school principal defeated Republican businessman and Marine Corps veteran Casey Askar, securing approximately 51.9 percent of the vote, a margin of about 3.8 percentage points.
Born and raised in Palm Beach County to Indian immigrant parents, Dandiya began her career as a teacher and later served as a high school principal in Harlem, New York. She also served as a White House Fellow and worked at Apple before entering politics.
Her victory came in a newly redrawn South Florida district that stretches from Palm Beach County through portions of Broward and Hendry counties to Collier County on the Gulf Coast. The district had drawn national attention as one of the competitive congressional races following Florida’s redistricting.
In Arizona, Democrat Amish Shah was maintaining a substantial lead over Republican Jay Feely in the state’s 1st Congressional District, although the race had not been formally called as of Wednesday morning.
According to results reported at 6:23 a.m. ET Wednesday, with 90 percent of votes counted, Shah had received 163,584 votes, or 52.6 percent, compared with Feely’s 141,196 votes, or 45.4 percent. Shah’s lead stood at 22,388 votes, or 7.2 percentage points.
Shah, a physician and former Arizona state legislator, was seeking the open congressional seat previously held by Republican David Schweikert, who chose to run for governor. The district includes Scottsdale and portions of northeastern Phoenix. Shah had previously challenged Schweikert in 2024, losing by fewer than four percentage points.
In Virginia, Suhas Subramanyam won a second term representing the state’s 10th Congressional District, defeating Republican Dave Beckwith. The former adviser to President Barack Obama secured approximately 61.4 percent of the vote, winning by about 24.8 percentage points, or 81,159 votes, according to reported election returns.
Subramanyam, who became Virginia’s first Indian American member of Congress in 2024, represents a Northern Virginia district that includes Loudoun County and neighboring communities. Before entering Congress, he served in both chambers of the Virginia General Assembly.
In California, Ro Khanna secured a sixth term representing the 17th Congressional District, which includes parts of Silicon Valley. He defeated Republican Ritesh Tandon, another Indian American candidate, with approximately 70.5 percent of the vote, a lead of about 41 percentage points.
Khanna, first elected to Congress in 2016, has become a prominent voice on technology, economic policy, artificial intelligence and foreign affairs. His district includes major technology companies and a significant Indian American population.
Pramila Jayapal, one of the most prominent progressive Democrats in Congress, won a sixth term representing Washington’s 7th
Pramila Jayapal, one of the most prominent progressive Democrats in Congress, won a sixth term representing Washington’s 7th Congressional District, which includes much of Seattle. She secured approximately 87.8 percent of the vote, defeating Republican Nirav Sheth, who is also of Indian origin. Her margin was approximately 75.6 percentage points.
Jayapal, who first entered Congress in January 2017, was the first Indian American woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. She has been a leading advocate for immigration reform, healthcare access and progressive economic policies.
Ami Bera, the longest-serving Indian American member of Congress, secured an eighth term representing California’s 3rd Congressional District, defeating Republican Robb Tucker. Reported returns showed Bera receiving approximately 57.1 percent of the vote, with a lead of about 23,598 votes.
A physician by training, Bera was first elected in 2012 and took office in January 2013. He has served on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and has been active on healthcare policy and U.S.-India relations. His reelection extends a congressional career spanning nearly 14 years.
The election also brought setbacks for several Indian American candidates. In Ohio, Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, a biotechnology entrepreneur and former presidential contender endorsed by President Donald Trump, lost the gubernatorial race to Democrat Amy Acton.
In Maryland, Indian American Democrat Aruna Miller secured another term as lieutenant governor alongside Governor Wes Moore. Miller, who became the first South Asian woman elected lieutenant governor in the United States in 2022, was among the Indian American candidates who won races outside Congress.
The incoming House delegation will also see the absence of two familiar Indian American lawmakers. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois and Shri Thanedar of Michigan will not return to Congress after unsuccessful primary campaigns. Krishnamoorthi lost his bid for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate, while Thanedar was defeated in his congressional primary.
The results highlight the continued presence of Indian Americans in national politics, with representatives elected from California, Washington, Virginia and Florida, and a likely additional seat in Arizona.
The newly elected Congress will take office on January 3, 2027.
