Washington, D.C., USA: As the nation prepares for the 2026 mid-term elections, state and local contests later this year are attracting notable attention alongside the headline-grabbing federal campaigns.
Across the United States, a growing number of Indian Americans are seeking public office. While media coverage often highlights high-profile federal races, numerous state and local elections in 2025 are equally important and deserve notice.
Some contests featuring Indian American candidates are particularly noteworthy in the off-cycle elections scheduled for November 2025.
In Virginia, Ghazala Hashmi, a Democrat, is running for Lieutenant Governor against Republican John Reid. If successful, Hashmi, who has been a state senator since 2020, would become the first Indian American and first Muslim to hold statewide executive office in Virginia.
New York City’s mayoral race also features an Indian American candidate. Zohran Mamdani, a state assemblyman, won the Democratic nomination and will face former Governor Andrew Cuomo, running as an Independent, and Republican Curtis Sliwa in a prominent November contest. Known for his progressive democratic socialist stance, Mamdani, whose mother is the renowned filmmaker Mira Nair, champions policies such as rent freezes and free city buses, highlighting both the leftward shift among some voters and the increasing visibility of Indian-origin politicians in urban centres.
In New Jersey, Dini Ajmani is vying to become mayor of Hoboken. Born and raised in India, Ajmani holds an MBA from Stanford University and a master’s in computer engineering from the University of Texas, Austin. She previously served as assistant state treasurer and deputy assistant secretary at the U.S. Treasury Department. Her campaign emphasises tackling rising rents, infrastructure challenges, and public safety.
Also in New Jersey, Mamta Singh is running for Jersey City Council At-Large, and Sangeeta Doshi is seeking a seat on Cherry Hill City Council. Singh, who moved to Jersey City 18 years ago, founded JCFamilies, a support group for parents and children, after experiencing postpartum depression without a local support system.
“I have also launched a platform for the Indian community in Jersey City, Hoboken, and nearby areas called Indians in Jersey City. We host cultural events, such as the Indian Independence Day celebration downtown, and provide ways for residents to connect,” Singh explains.
Singh’s priorities include maintaining stable taxes, ensuring community safety, and expanding youth recreation programs. If elected, she would become the first Indian American on the Jersey City Council. “The Indian community here lacks representation, and my experience with volunteering and nonprofit work allows me to connect with business owners, investors, and students alike,” she adds.
Doshi, first elected to Cherry Hill council in 2017, was born in Jabalpur, India, and raised in the U.S. She has combined careers in telecommunications and small business with public service, focusing on sustainability and community safety. Her platform emphasises environmental protection, clean energy, and improving parks and infrastructure to enhance family life. Doshi also participates actively in the Indian Cultural Centre and the Indian Temple Association.
In North Carolina, Dimple Tansen Ajmera, a four-term member of Charlotte’s city council, is seeking re-election to her At-Large seat. Originally from Surat, India, she moved to the U.S. in 2003 and became Charlotte’s youngest woman and first Asian-American council member. A certified public accountant, Ajmera has advocated for affordable healthcare for city employees.
Colorado’s Centennial City Council race features Ashish Vaidya, whose parents immigrated from India. Vaidya, a political science educator at high school and university levels, promotes data-driven approaches to local issues such as housing, sustainability, and fiscal responsibility. Meanwhile, in California, Rishi Kumar, formerly of the Saratoga City Council, is running for county assessor.
Indian American Impact (IA Impact), a political advocacy group promoting Indian-origin candidates, has endorsed multiple local contenders in this election cycle, highlighting individuals in New Jersey, North Carolina, and Colorado, with a focus on public safety, economic growth, and community service.
“Candidates of Indian descent are competing for various offices, with healthcare and housing affordability being key voter concerns,” says Chintan Patel, executive director of the Impact Foundation. He notes that the community is also attentive to public health and vaccination availability.
“Immigration and rising discrimination remain significant issues across the community,” Patel adds.
Interest in the November 2025 elections is strong among Indian Americans, particularly as the 2026 federal cycle approaches.
“In Virginia, my home state, there’s a high level of enthusiasm within the Indian diaspora. Virginia and New Jersey hold off-cycle elections every two years,” says Sanjeev Joshipura, executive director of Indiaspora, a nonprofit of global Indian-origin leaders.
Joshipura emphasises that both local concerns—such as infrastructure and education—and national policies influence Indian American voters.
Concerns about online vitriol and occasional physical threats against the community are increasingly relevant. “The diaspora will pay attention to candidates’ positions on this issue,” Joshipura observes, while noting that U.S.-India relations may also shape opinions, though state elections have limited influence here.
Analysts indicate that political fatigue following the intense 2024 elections is reducing participation by some major Indian American donors. “The community continues to navigate frequent policy changes in Washington D.C. regarding India and Indian Americans,” explains Jiten Agarwal, a Houston business leader and Republican fundraiser. He expects issues like U.S.-India relations, tariffs, and immigration policy to be central in the upcoming races.
While most Indian Americans lean Democratic, an increasing number are pursuing office as Republicans at all levels of government.
“The current polarised environment may discourage some Democrats from running or donating, lowering participation,” says Robinder Sachdev, president of Imagindia Institute and co-founder of the U.S.-India Political Action Committee. He notes that Republican-leaning Indian Americans often favour moderate conservative policies such as fiscal responsibility and limited government.
“The focus on mainstream conservative values—rather than the more populist rhetoric in parts of the GOP—can make it difficult for candidates to gain traction,” he adds.
High-profile Indian American campaigns include Republican Vivek Ramaswamy for Ohio Governor and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democrat-Illinois) aiming for the U.S. Senate in 2026, after Senator Dick Durbin announced he will not seek re-election.
“These campaigns reflect the community’s growing influence across parties, regions, and government levels,” Sachdev observes. Indian Americans, while diverse, consistently highlight themes that resonate across generations and political orientations.
Among key concerns are assimilation in U.S. politics, support for strong immigration policies balanced against racial profiling, and fair enforcement.
Notable Indian American candidates in the 2026 mid-term elections include Democrat Pia Dandiya challenging Republican Brian Mast in Florida’s 21st District, Hetal Doshi for Colorado Attorney General, Tina Shah for Congress in New Jersey’s 7th District, and Anuj Dixit in California’s congressional race against Ken Calvert.
California’s Jasmeet Bains is seeking to unseat Republican David Valadao in the 22nd District, while Democrat Saikat Chakrabarti will run against former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in San Francisco’s 11th District. Entrepreneur Raj Goyle aims for New York State Comptroller, and Silicon Valley businessman Ethan Agarwal has entered California’s 2026 governor race as a Democratic candidate.
