In Pennsylvania, Neil Makhija, a Democrat, became Montgomery County Commissioner
Washington:
At least 10 Indian-Americans, mostly Democrats, have secured victories in local and state elections across the US, signifying the increasing political influence of this community, which represents just over one percent of the US population.
In Virginia, Ghazala Hashmi, who was born in Hyderabad, was re-elected to the State Senate for a third term, making her the first Indian-American woman and Muslim to hold this position in the Virginia State legislation.
Suhas Subramanyam, who previously served in the White House as a technology policy advisor during the Obama Administration, secured re-election to the Virginia State Senate. Houston-born Subramanian, the first Hindu to be elected to the Virginia House, was elected for two terms in the House of Delegates in 2019 and 2021.
Kannan Srinivasan, a business leader who immigrated from India in the 90s, won a seat in the Virginia House of Delegates, representing the India-American dominated Loudon County area. All three winners in Virginia are from the Democratic party, as are the three winners from New Jersey.
In New Jersey, Indian Americans Vin Gopal and Raj Mukherji, both from the Democratic Party, were elected to the State Senate. Indian-American Balvir Singh, a teacher, secured re-election to New Jersey’s Burlington County Board of County Commissioner.
In Pennsylvania, Neil Makhija, a Democrat, won the position of Montgomery County Commissioner, while Indian-American physician Dr. Anita Joshi secured the West District seat for Carmel City Council in Indiana.
Makhija is the first Indian American or AAPI (Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders) to serve on a county’s board of commissioners in the Commonwealth’s 342-year history. Dr. Joshi is the sole Democrat victor in the Republican stronghold.
Priya Tamilarasan, an India-American raised in the US, won the election for Gahanna City Attorney in Ohio.
Arunan Arulampalam, a non-profit Land Bank CEO of Indian origin who immigrated from Zimbabwe, was elected as the Mayor of Hartford in Connecticut.
Following their electoral successes, all 10 Indian-American candidates pledged to work for their constituents.
“I am incredibly grateful and humbled by the voters’ faith in our vision for a proactive approach to protecting our voting rights, keeping guns off our streets, and working to ensure that Montgomery County remains a great place to live and raise a family for all,” said Makhija.
As the Montgomery County Commissioner, Makhija will oversee a USD1B budget and 3,000 employees including elections, courts, district attorney’s office, public health departments, and public infrastructure.
“Tonight’s results show that our community wants leadership that will take on tough fights to stand up for our democracy, stand up for our rights, and ensure that every voice is heard,” said Suhas Subramanyam.
“Today, we celebrate a victory for the values we hold dear – inclusivity, protecting women’s productive rights, common gun safety laws, quality healthcare for all, excellence in education and a brighter future for our commonwealth,” said Srinivasan Kannan.
“I am so honored to be elected as the next Gahanna City Attorney. …I am committed to serving the City of Gahanna and all its residents to the best of my ability. Thank you for this opportunity,” said Tamilrasan after her electoral victory.
“Hope in the midst of darkness, hope in the midst of division, hope in the midst of difficulty, hope that in this city, we can build that kind of investment … in every neighborhood across the city, hope that all of our kids can have access to good quality education and safe places to be, hope that all of us can feel safe in our communities, hope that all of us can have access to safe, decent, and affordable housing in every single neighborhood in this city,” Arulampalam said in his victory speech.
“We’ve made incredible progress in the last four years, and we still have so much to do. We will continue to fight for our collective future and for a Virginia that is more equitable, more just, and more compassionate. I am humbled by the trust voters and supporters have placed in me. It’s time to focus now on the next four years,” Virginia State Senator Ghazala Hashmi said.
“Since day one, we have been on the ground putting in the work, meeting voters at doorsteps and diners, having real conversations about the issues they face, and showing up for Monmouth County,” Vin Gopal said after his electoral victory in New Jersey.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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