Anita Somani, an Indian American physician, has secured a third term in the Ohio House of Representatives, defeating Republican Kelly Hunter-Kalagidis with 70.79% of the vote.
Dr. Anita Somani’s political journey intertwines her medical career, advocacy for reproductive health, and public service in Ohio. The Indian American Democrat has successfully won re-election to the Ohio House of Representatives, representing the state’s 8th House District.
Somani’s recent victory marks her third consecutive term in the Ohio legislature, where she has prioritized healthcare policy, reproductive rights, education, and public health initiatives.
According to unofficial results from Ohio election authorities, Somani triumphed over Republican challenger Kelly Hunter-Kalagidis by a margin of 20,738 votes, translating to approximately 41.6 percentage points. All 81 precincts within Franklin County’s District 8 have reported their results, although these figures remain unofficial until state certification is completed.
Originally from India, Somani is a first-generation immigrant. Her official biography from the Ohio Statehouse notes that her father was the first Asian individual to serve in an Ohio governor’s cabinet.
Somani has built her professional career in Columbus, Ohio, where she has dedicated over three decades to healthcare as an obstetrician-gynecologist at OhioHealth. She earned her medical degree from the Medical College of Ohio and completed her OB/GYN residency at Mount Carmel Medical Center in Columbus. Additionally, she holds certification in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery.
Before entering elected office, Somani was actively involved in medical advocacy and community organizations. Her leadership roles included co-chairing the Physicians Action Network and serving as the Ohio state director for South Asians for America. She has also been a board member for the Columbus Medical Association and Planned Parenthood of Central Ohio.
Somani’s political career began in 2022 when she contested an open seat in Ohio’s 11th House District following legislative redistricting. In her first election, she defeated Republican Omar Tarazi with 56% of the vote.
In 2024, after another round of redistricting, she successfully ran for District 8, defeating Republican Aaron Neumann with 64.5% of the vote. Her latest victory in 2026, where she garnered 70.79% of the vote against Hunter-Kalagidis, represents a significant increase in her vote share compared to her initial campaign.
Somani’s medical background has heavily influenced her legislative work. She serves on the Ohio House Medicaid Committee and is the ranking Democratic member of the House Health Committee.
Her legislative agenda has included several key initiatives:
Somani has championed reproductive healthcare through House Bill 128, known as the Reproductive Care Act, which aims to enhance protections for reproductive healthcare. Additionally, she introduced House Bill 237 to safeguard access to assisted reproductive care, and she has worked on legislation addressing women’s health issues, including menopause, perimenopause, and hormone therapy coverage.
Gun safety is another area of focus for Somani, as seen in her sponsorship of House Bill 337, which proposes trigger-lock requirements for firearm sales through federal firearms dealers. She has also advocated for healthcare access through proposals involving health insurance reinsurance and restrictions on the common ownership of certain healthcare entities.
In the realm of education, Somani has opposed the expansion of school voucher programs while supporting funding for public schools. These measures are part of her official legislative sponsorship record, although it is important to note that sponsorship does not guarantee enactment into law.
Somani’s re-election means she will serve another two-year term beginning in January 2027. Her continued presence in the Ohio House follows her victories in 2022, 2024, and now 2026.
This latest election comes amid significant gains for Ohio Democrats in the 2026 state elections. While Republicans maintained control of the Ohio House, Democrats successfully reduced the Republican supermajority.
For the Indian American community, Somani’s political career exemplifies the transition from a professional background to state-level elected office. Her expertise in medicine, community advocacy, and legislative service adds a unique perspective to her political profile.
As she embarks on her next term, Somani will have the opportunity to further pursue healthcare legislation, particularly in the areas of reproductive health, IVF access, and women’s health, while navigating a legislature still under Republican control.
According to The American Bazaar, Somani’s re-election reflects her commitment to her constituents and her dedication to advancing important healthcare policies in Ohio.