Indian-Americans have made their mark in the 2026 US midterm elections, with five candidates winning seats in the US House of Representatives. Maryland Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller has also secured another term, adding to the list of Indian-origin political figures who have won electoral contests. From California and Virginia to Washington and Florida, here is a look at the winners and their journeys in American politics.
California's 3rd Congressional District
Ami Bera is a physician-turned-politician and the son of Indian immigrants. He earned his medical degree from the University of California, Irvine, and worked in medicine for two decades before entering politics. First elected to Congress in 2012, he has become the longest-serving Indian-American member of the House.
Virginia's 10th Congressional District
Born in Houston to Indian parents, Suhas Subramanyam is a lawyer and former technology entrepreneur. He worked as a technology policy adviser in the Obama White House before entering Virginia state politics. He was first elected to the US House in 2024 and became the first Indian-American to represent Virginia in Congress.
California's 17th Congressional District
Born in Philadelphia to parents who immigrated from India, Ro Khanna is a lawyer and politician representing Silicon Valley. He studied economics at the University of Chicago and law at Yale University. Before entering Congress in 2017, he served as a deputy assistant secretary in the US Department of Commerce under Barack Obama.
Washington's 7th Congressional District
Born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Pramila Jayapal moved to the US at the age of 16 to attend college. Before entering electoral politics, she worked in global health and development and founded OneAmerica, an immigrant advocacy organisation in Washington state. Elected to Congress in 2016, she became the first South Asian-American woman elected to the US House.
Florida's 22nd Congressional District
Born and raised in Palm Beach County, Florida, to parents from India, Pia Dandiya began her career as a teacher before becoming a high school principal at the age of 28. She later served as a White House Fellow and worked on public-sector projects at Apple. Her victory marks her entry into the US House of Representatives.
Maryland lieutenant governor
Born in India, Aruna Miller moved to the US with her family when she was seven. A civil engineer by training, she worked for 25 years in Montgomery County's transportation department before entering politics. She became Maryland's lieutenant governor in 2023 and has now secured another term.