Washington, D.C., USA: As voters across the United States prepare to cast their ballots on Tuesday, several Indian-American and South Asian candidates are competing for prominent positions in elections taking place nationwide. This marks the first major electoral test during former President Donald Trump’s second term.
“It takes tremendous bravery to stand for election, and these leaders have risen to the occasion to represent their communities and create a brighter future for America,” said a statement from Indian American Impact, an organisation dedicated to empowering South Asian and Indian-American communities through civic involvement and public engagement.
The group urged voters to take part in the democratic process: “The most effective way to support these candidates is by voting and encouraging your family and friends to do the same. Make sure you have a plan to vote this Tuesday.”
Throughout the year, the organisation endorsed 50 South Asian candidates — the highest number in an odd-year election cycle. Of these, 36 candidates will appear on ballots across the nation on Tuesday.
Among the most closely followed races is the Virginia Lieutenant Governor’s election, featuring Ghazala Hashmi, the first Muslim and South Asian American to serve in the Virginia Senate. Born in India, Hashmi immigrated to the United States as a child with her family, settling in Georgia, where her father pursued a Ph.D. in international relations.
Hashmi first won office in 2019, defeating a Republican incumbent and helping Democrats secure a majority in the state Senate. In 2024, she was appointed Chair of the Senate Education and Health Committee, overseeing key Democratic priorities such as reproductive rights and public education.
In New York City, attention is focused on the high-profile mayoral election, where Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old Democratic nominee, is seen as a leading contender. Born in Uganda and raised in New York, Mamdani serves as a New York State Assemblymember and identifies as a democratic socialist.
He faces former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent, and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa. Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams withdrew from the race in September amid multiple controversies.
Polls show Mamdani leading Cuomo by double digits heading into election day. The son of acclaimed Indian filmmaker Mira Nair and Ugandan-Indian scholar Mahmood Mamdani, he secured a major victory in June after defeating Cuomo in the Democratic primary.
In Cincinnati, Ohio, Aftab Pureval is seeking re-election as Mayor. Pureval, whose father is Punjabi and mother is Tibetan — the latter having grown up in a refugee camp in southern India — began his political career in 2015 as a candidate for Hamilton County Clerk of Courts.
Meanwhile, Satish Garimella is contesting for Mayor in Morrisville, North Carolina, and Dini Ajmani is running for Mayor of Hoboken, New Jersey, where former Mayor Ravi Bhalla is now seeking a seat in the New Jersey State Assembly.
Other Indian-American and South Asian candidates are running for City Council positions across New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Washington, Georgia, Florida, and Pennsylvania.
As the nation gears up for Election Day, Indian American Impact called on community members to participate actively.
“Election Day is Tuesday, and our communities have the opportunity to shape America’s direction. Whether you live in California, Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, or Georgia — every vote matters and every voice counts,” the group said.
