If the pollsters and opinions of political pundits are to be believed, Indian-American candidates are likely to have a 100% strike rate for the House of Representatives
If the pollsters and opinions of political pundits are to be believed, Indian-American candidates are likely to have a 100% strike rate for the House of Representatives
Five prominent Indian-American politicians are in the race for the U.S. House of Representatives when the country goes for its midterm polls on November 8.
If the pollsters and opinions of political pundits are to be believed, Indian-American candidates are likely to have a 100% strike rate for the House of Representatives.
The four incumbents — Ami Bera, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ro Khanna and Pramila Jayapal — are likely to be re-elected. All four are from the Democratic Party.
Adding to the so-called Samosa Caucus of Indian-Americans in the House of Representatives would be the entrepreneur and businessman Shri Thanedar, who is seeking his election from the 13th Congressional District of Michigan.
Mr. Bera, 57, the seniormost of all, is seeking his sixth term in the House of Representatives from the 7th Congressional District of California.
Ro Khanna Khanna, 46, who represents the 17th Congressional district from California, Mr. Krishnamoorthi, 49, (8th Congressional District of Illinois) and Ms. Jayapal, 57, from the 7th Congressional District of Washington State, are seeking their fourth consecutive terms.
According to political experts, all four are comfortably placed against their Republican opponents. So does Mr. Thanedar, 67, who is seeking his maiden entry into the House of Representatives from the heavily African American portion of Detroit.
If elected, he would be the fifth Indian-American in the next Congress along with Mr. Bera, Mr. Khanna, Mr. Krishnamoorthi and Ms. Jayapal.
Chennai-born Ms. Jayapal is the first ever and only Indian-American woman to be elected to the House of Representatives.
During this election cycle, another Indian-American seems to be all set to create history in the State of Maryland. Aruna Miller, 57, a former member of the Maryland House of Delegates, is running as Lt. Governor of the State on the Democratic ticket.
Political pundits say she is all set to win. In that case, she would be the first-ever Indian American to be elected to this position in Maryland.
Meanwhile, the Democrats and the Republicans have intensified their efforts to reach out to the Indian-Americans ahead of the November 8 midterm elections.
The House of Representatives is made up of 435 elected members, divided among the 50 states in proportion to their total population. The Senate is composed of 100 Senators, 2 for each state.
The Washington Post newspaper on November 4 said that Indian-Americans can play an important role in some of the tightly contested races.
“Ahead of mid-term elections that could be decided by razor-thin margins, Democrats are hoping to capitalise on some of the optimism felt by Indian Americans, a growing and increasingly vital bloc of voters,” the daily wrote.
In the critical State of Pennsylvania, popular TV host Padma Lakshmi, Phenomenal Media CEO Meena Harris and Ms. Jayapal would knock doors in Philadelphia to mobilise the community’s South Asian voters.
The canvass launch will feature music, food and a lineup of distinguished speakers. Peloton Instructor Aditi Shah will lead a 20-minute grounding session to kick off the day, focusing on the importance and power of our collective community. Following the launch, over 4,000 estimated doors will be knocked in Upper Darby, Centre City and Northeast Philadelphia.
“I’m inspired to be with so many incredible community activists and South Asian women leaders in Philadelphia this weekend to activate voters who can make the margin in this midterm election. Let’s get out, knock doors, and vote!” Ms. Lakshmi said.
“This is the first time we’ve brought together this group of South Asian women leaders…
Read More: Five prominent Indian-American politicians in race for U.S. Congress in midterm polls