Washington (Rajeev Sharma): Six politicians of Punjabi origin have registered victories in the November 3 US midterm elections, marking a significant moment for the Indian-American community’s political representation across the country. Among the winners, Jyot Singh has made history by becoming the first Sikh and Indian-American elected to the Georgia General Assembly, while Pooja Sethi has secured a landmark victory in Texas.
The election results saw established lawmakers retain their positions, alongside newcomers making their entry into state legislatures. All six candidates mentioned are affiliated with the Democratic Party.
The prominent winners include Ro Khanna, Manka Dhingra, Ranjeev Puri, Ash Kalra, Jyot Singh and Pooja Sethi. Their victories span the US Congress and legislative assemblies in California, Washington, Michigan, Georgia and Texas. <Cite refs={[“turn121505search13″,”turn121505search2”]}/>
Ro Khanna – California
US Congressman Ro Khanna secured another term representing California’s 17th Congressional District. He defeated Republican challenger Ritesh Tandon, receiving approximately 70.6 per cent of the votes.
Born into a Punjabi immigrant family in Philadelphia, Khanna is a lawyer and economist. He previously served as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the US Department of Commerce during the Obama administration and was a co-chair of Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign.
His family also has a connection with India’s freedom movement. His maternal grandfather, Amarnath Vidyalankar, participated in the struggle against British rule and was imprisoned for his activities. <Cite refs={[“turn924353search0″,”turn924353search1”]}/>
Manka Dhingra – Washington
Manka Dhingra retained her seat in the Washington State Senate, representing the 45th District. A lawyer by profession, she serves as Deputy Majority Leader in the state Senate.
She first entered the legislature through a special election in 2017. Her political work has included criminal justice reforms, efforts to prevent domestic violence and initiatives related to mental health policies.
Jyot Singh – Georgia
One of the most notable victories came from Georgia, where 27-year-old Jyot Singh won House District 97 with 68 per cent of the vote. He defeated Republican candidate Yassin Moghazy, securing 13,820 votes against his opponent’s 6,509.
A Yale University graduate and community organiser, Singh has become the first Sikh and Indian-American elected to the Georgia General Assembly.
Coming from a Punjabi immigrant family, Singh built his campaign around issues including affordable housing, healthcare, public education, voting rights and financial support for working families. His victory was celebrated by members of the Sikh community, who welcomed the historic development with traditional slogans. <Cite refs={[“turn121505search2″,”turn121505search5″,”turn121505search9”]}/>
Ranjeev Puri – Michigan
Michigan House Minority Leader Ranjeev Puri also secured re-election, retaining his position as representative of District 24.
Puri has been active in state-level politics, with a focus on gun safety and promoting cleaner energy. His continued presence in the Michigan legislature further strengthens Punjabi-American representation in state politics.
Pooja Sethi – Texas
Pooja Sethi registered another significant breakthrough by winning Texas House District 47. She defeated Republican candidate Jennifer Mushtaler, securing 57,543 votes, compared with Mushtaler’s 33,291.
An immigration lawyer and former Texas legislative official, Sethi has become the first Indian-American woman elected to the Texas House of Representatives.
Her campaign highlighted issues such as school funding, gun safety, financial concerns affecting families and tackling racial discrimination. <Cite refs={[“turn121505search0″,”turn121505search1”]}/>
Ash Kalra – California
Ash Kalra retained his seat in the California State Assembly, representing the 25th District. First elected in 2016, Kalra made history as the first Indian-American to serve in the California Assembly.
His re-election adds to the list of Punjabi-origin politicians continuing their work in American legislative institutions.
The victories of these six Democratic candidates reflect the expanding presence of Punjabi and Indian-American communities in US electoral politics. From federal representation in Congress to state-level legislative positions, their success highlights the growing participation of politicians with Indian roots in the country’s political system.
Editorial note: I have retained the six-winner angle but avoided describing all six as “anti-Trump” because party affiliation alone does not establish an individual candidate’s position on Trump. Election figures cited above are based on available results and may remain unofficial pending certification.
