2026 US midterm elections: Who are the Indian-origin candidates and where are they competing? | Today’s news
Candidates of Indian descent are seeking office across the United States in the November 3, 2026 midterm elections, with contests including the U.S. House of Representatives, state legislatures, gubernatorial and local governments. Among the names highlighted on the slate are Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, running for governor in Ohio, and Democratic lawmakers Ro Khanna, Pramila Jayapal, Ami Bera and Suhas Subramanyam, who are seeking re-election to Congress.
The election will determine which party will control Congress for the final two years of US President Donald Trump’s second term. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 seats in the Senate are scheduled to be contested, along with gubernatorial, state legislative and local elections.
Republicans currently hold both houses of Congress. They hold 219 seats in the House to 214 for Democrats, with two unfilled seats, while Republicans hold 53 of the 100 seats in the Senate.
Listed candidates of Indian origin are contesting from states including California, Washington, Virginia, Arizona, Florida, Texas, Ohio, New York and Maryland. Their races cover various levels of government, from federal representation to state executive offices and city leadership.
Indian-American lawmakers seeking re-election to Congress
Four Indian-American Democratic lawmakers are seeking another term in the House of Representatives: Ro Khanna, Pramila Jayapal, Ami Bera and Suhas Subramanyam.
Ro Khanna – California’s 17th Congressional District
Khanna is seeking re-election in California’s 17th District, which includes parts of Silicon Valley. He will face Republican Ritesh Tandon, who is setting up a contest between two Indian-origin candidates representing opposing parties.
Pramila Jayapal — Washington’s 7th Congressional District
Jayapal, a Democrat, is seeking another term from Washington’s 7th District. Her Republican challenger is Nirav Sheth, another candidate of Indian descent.
Ami Bera – California’s 3rd Congressional District
Bera, a Democrat, is seeking re-election from California’s 3rd District. He is among the Indian-American lawmakers who are defending their seats in the House during the midterms.
Suhas Subramanyam – Virginia’s 10th Congressional District
Subramanyam, a Democrat representing Northern Virginia, is also seeking re-election. His race is part of a broader effort by Indian-American lawmakers to retain their representation in Congress.
Amish Shah, Pia Dandiya among Congress candidates
Amish Shah — Arizona’s 1st Congressional District
Democrat Amish Shah, an emergency medicine physician and former state legislator, is running for the U.S. House of Representatives from Arizona’s 1st District. He faces Republican Jay Feely, a former professional football player.
Pia Dandiya – Florida’s 22nd Congressional District
Pia Dandiya is running for Florida’s 22nd District as a Democrat against Republican Casey Askar. Her campaign is among congressional races involving Indian-origin candidates in the 2026 election.
The results of these races could affect the number of Indian-American lawmakers in the House. Raja Krishnamoorthi lost the Democratic Senate primary in Illinois, while Shri Thanedar lost his Democratic primary in Michigan’s 13th Congressional District, according to candidate reports.
Candidates of Indian descent in Texas state elections
Indian-American candidates also vie for seats in state legislatures, where lawmakers influence policy on education, taxes, health care and other local issues.
Pooja Sethi — Texas House District 47
Democrat Pooja Sethi is seeking a seat in the Texas House of Representatives from District 47. Her candidacy is part of a broader effort by Indian-origin candidates to secure statewide representation.
Sandeep Srivastava — Texas House District 66
Democrat Sandeep Srivastava is running for Texas House District 66 against Republican Matt Shaheen, according to a supplied list of candidates. The contest is among the state legislative races to watch.
Vivek Ramaswamy is running for Ohio Governor’s race
One of the most prominent contests with an Indian-origin candidate is Ohio’s gubernatorial election, where Republican Vivek Ramaswamy faces Democrat Amy Acton.
Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur seeking the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, is seeking to become governor of Ohio. Acton, a former state health director, is running alongside her Democratic running mate, David Pepper. Ramaswamy’s Republican running mate is Robert A. McColley. Candidates are listed for the Nov. 3 general election.
The contest will be closely watched as voters decide who will lead Ohio in the next term. It also puts Ramaswamy, a prominent national political figure, in a statewide race against a Democratic challenger.
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Saritha Komatireddy challenges Letitia James in New York
Republican Saritha Komatireddy is challenging incumbent Democrat Letitia James for New York attorney general.
The contest pits a Republican challenger against a high-ranking Democratic incumbent. The Attorney General oversees the state’s legal affairs and law enforcement within its jurisdiction.
Nithya Raman takes on Karen Bass in the race for mayor of Los Angeles
Kerala-born Democrat Nithya Raman is challenging incumbent Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in the November runoff.
Raman, a member of the Los Angeles City Council, advanced to a runoff against Bass, creating a contest between two Democrats and former political allies. The race could make Raman the first South Asian woman to become mayor of Los Angeles.
The competition is expected to focus on local issues including housing, homelessness, public services and policing. Raman’s campaign offers yet another example of an Indian-origin politician seeking prominent executive office rather than a seat in Congress.
Aruna Miller is running for re-election in Maryland
Hyderabad-born Maryland governor Aruna Miller is seeking re-election alongside Gov. Wes Moore. Miller is among the Indian-origin politicians already in executive positions who are looking to continue their political careers until the 2026 elections.
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