Virginia’s Suhas Subramanyam has made history as the first Indian American to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from the Commonwealth. This landmark win increases the total number of Indian American lawmakers in the House to six. Representing Virginia’s 10th District, Subramanyam joins the “Samosa Caucus,” a term coined by Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi to describe Indian American legislators in Congress.
“I am honored and humbled that the people of Virginia’s 10th District put their trust in me to take on the toughest fights and deliver results in Congress,” said Subramanyam in a statement. He emphasized his deep connection to the area, stating, “This district is my home. I got married here, my wife Miranda and I are raising our daughters here, and the issues our community faces are personal to our family.” Subramanyam expressed his dedication to serving this district as their new representative in Washington, D.C.
He commended Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton, calling her his “dear friend and mentor” and praised her “incredible record of service.” He added, “Following in her footsteps will be no easy task, but I will work to continue her legacy.” Additionally, he acknowledged his Republican opponent, Mike Clancy, and his efforts in the election, affirming his commitment to work with Clancy and his supporters to serve all Virginians and bring the community together.
“Making history isn’t easy, and this win would not have been possible without the hard work of our staff, volunteers, friends, and family. This honor would not have been possible without them,” Subramanyam shared, indicating that it’s now time to face the pressing challenges and build a brighter future for his constituents.
Meanwhile, the other five Indian American lawmakers—California’s Ro Khanna and Dr. Ami Bera, Washington’s Pramila Jayapal, Illinois’ Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Michigan’s Shri Thanedar—have retained their seats. Rep. Krishnamoorthi, who represents Illinois’ 8th District, reiterated his commitment to bolstering workforce investments and promoting job growth within the state. “My parents came to this country with little more than a dream for their family’s future and the faith that they could achieve it here in America,” he shared. Despite challenges, he emphasized, “My mission in Congress is to fight for all the other families that are pursuing their dreams, no matter where they come from, how they worship, or the number of letters in their names… there are 29 in mine.”
Shri Thanedar, re-elected from Michigan’s 13th District, cited his track record of robust constituent services, advocacy for working families, unions, and reproductive rights. “Everywhere I go, constituents always come up to me and tell me how my office helped them with their immigration issues, secure a visa, get veterans benefits, get their tax returns, etc. That is a testament to my team, and I couldn’t be prouder of all their hard work and how effective we are in serving our constituents,” he stated, giving credit to his team for their dedication and efficiency.
Washington’s 7th District representative, Pramila Jayapal, expressed heartfelt gratitude for her re-election, saying, “From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Our campaign, and our movement, has always been about lifting people up, fighting for poor and working people, and bringing all of us together. I’m so proud to represent Washington’s 7th district and I look forward to joining together to continue fighting for progress and opportunity for all.”
In Arizona, a tight contest unfolded as former State Representative Dr. Amish Shah challenged Republican incumbent David Schweikert for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District seat. The close race left results yet to be called as of November 8, according to the Associated Press.
Other South Asian candidates also experienced significant victories in state-level elections. In Pennsylvania’s 30th House District, Arvind Venkat was re-elected, extending his service to the communities of McCandless, Franklin Park, Ohio Twp, Kilbuck, Emsworth, Ben Avon Heights Borough, and western Township of Hampton. “I am honored to be re-elected as our State Representative,” Venkat stated, expressing gratitude to those who supported him.
Georgia Democratic State Senator Nabilah Islam Parkes also secured re-election in the 7th District. She thanked her supporters, noting, “I am deeply grateful to everyone who supported me in this re-election! Your votes and trust mean the world to me. Thank you for believing in our vision and for standing by my side.” Islam Parkes pledged to continue championing community welfare, economic prosperity, and fundamental rights, including voting rights and reproductive freedom. “To my fellow Georgians: thank you for entrusting me with a second term. I will continue to fight for our families, help our communities prosper, and protect our fundamental rights and freedoms – including the right to an abortion and the right to vote,” she said.
However, not all Indian American candidates were successful in their election bids. Ashwin Ramaswami, a candidate for Georgia’s State Senate District 48, lost to Republican Shawn Still. Reflecting on the outcome, Ramaswami congratulated his opponent and highlighted the significance of his campaign. “I’m looking forward to working together on the issues that matter to our district. Our campaign brought together historically overlooked communities and turned out the vote like never before. Onwards and upwards,” he remarked, underscoring his commitment to continue serving his community in other capacities.
In Texas, Salman Bhojani won re-election to the Texas House of Representatives from District 92. He expressed appreciation for his supporters, stating, “I cannot thank you enough. And to every voter—no matter your party, beliefs, or background—I look forward to serving you for two more years.”
Another significant victory was achieved by Nabeela Syed, who retained her seat in Illinois’ 51st District. Reflecting on her re-election, Syed shared, “It feels surreal that at 25 years old, I will have the opportunity to serve my second term as State Representative for the community I was born and raised in.” Syed’s youth and background as a second-generation American bring fresh perspectives to her legislative work, and she is committed to championing the interests of her community.
The successes of these Indian American politicians reflect a growing trend of South Asian representation in U.S. politics. From local government roles to positions in the U.S. Congress, Indian American lawmakers are increasingly shaping policies on both state and national levels, addressing a wide array of issues from workforce development and union support to healthcare, reproductive rights, and immigration services. This surge in representation is indicative of the diverse voices gaining prominence in American political spaces.
For Suhas Subramanyam, the journey from state senator to U.S. Congress marks a new chapter not only for him but for the broader Indian American community he represents. His victory, along with those of his peers, sends a powerful message about the growing influence and involvement of South Asians in American civic life and the future of multicultural representation in politics.
