Beyond Mamdani: A Long List of Indian-Origin Candidates on the Ballot in US Elections
While Zohran Mamdani’s high-profile New York mayoral campaign has captured significant attention, he is far from the only candidate with Indian roots vying for office in the US elections on November 4. Across the country, a diverse and growing list of Indian-American candidates are on the ballot in key local and state races.
In New York City, Mamdani, the 34-year-old son of acclaimed Indian filmmaker Mira Nair, is a leading contender in the mayoral race. A New York State Assemblymember who identifies as a “democratic socialist,” he is running against former Governor Andrew Cuomo (as an independent) and Republican Curtis Sliwa. Mamdani, who has been a frequent target of President Donald Trump, cast his vote on Tuesday alongside his wife, Rama Duwaji.
Other Key Candidates with Indian Ties
In Virginia, Ghazala Hashmi is a prominent Democrat running for Lieutenant Governor. Hashmi, who emigrated from India at age four, made history as the first Muslim and South Asian American to serve in the Virginia Senate. Her 2019 upset victory over a Republican incumbent was a landmark moment, and she now chairs the crucial Senate Education and Health Committee.
Aftab Pureval is running for mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio. His background is a unique story of the subcontinent’s diaspora: his Tibetan mother fled Chinese occupation and grew up in a refugee camp in southern India, while his father is of Punjabi origin. Pureval has been active in local politics since 2015.
The list continues with Satish Garimella running for mayor of Morrisville, North Carolina, and Dini Ajmani s