Indian-origin candidates vie for seats from Congress to Ohio governor in 2026 midterms
A slate of candidates of Indian heritage is running in the November 3, 2026 U.S. midterm elections for federal, state and local offices, including a high-profile Ohio gubernatorial race.
Indian-origin politicians are on the ballot across the United States in the 2026 midterm elections, spanning the U.S. House, state legislatures, gubernatorial contests and local offices. Notable names include Republican biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who is running for governor of Ohio, and Democratic incumbents Ro Khanna (CA-17), Pramila Jayapal (WA-7), Ami Bera (CA-3) and Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) seeking re-election to the House.
Other candidates of South Asian descent are contesting seats in Arizona’s 1st District, Florida’s 22nd District, and Texas House districts 47 and 66, among others. In California, Nithya Raman is challenging Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in a runoff that could make her the city’s first South Asian female mayor. The elections will decide which party controls Congress for the final two years of President Donald Trump’s second term, with Republicans currently holding majorities in both chambers. The results also determine the representation of Indian-American officials at multiple levels of government.
Why it matters
These races shape congressional control and highlight the growing political influence of Indian-American leaders.
How this story developed
- Sep 28 Joe Concha accuses Senate hopeful Abdul el Sayed of political double-talk
- Oct 2 The Georgia Senate debate turned sharply personal as Ossoff pledged to repeal Trump-era tariffs and accused Collins of siding with the president. Collins defended the tax cuts tied to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and blamed the Inflation Reduction Act for inflation. Both candidates clashed over data-center subsidies, with Ossoff linking Collins to a billionaire donor and Collins returning the charge. The discussion also covered the ongoing conflict with Iran and a recent immigration raid at a Hyundai plant, while each candidate faced accusations of extremist associations.
- Oct 3 A Rasmussen Reports poll now shows El‑Sayed leading Rogers 47% to 44%.
- Oct 5 Jeffries warned that Republican money is being poured into Long Island districts held by Tom Suozzi and Laura Gillen, despite those seats being vulnerable to Democratic wins. He noted that the GOP’s focus on these races is making Republican-held districts, including the upstate seat of retiring Elisa Stafanik, more competitive. Jeffries also linked the alleged mismanagement to reports about Donald Trump advisers Chris LaCivita and James Blair working abroad. Democratic super PACs are holding back, believing their incumbents are well positioned, while GOP groups have spent nearly $2 million on Gillen’s district.
- Oct 9 The first televised debate between the Michigan Senate hopefuls was held Thursday night.
- Oct 10 Trump posted on Truth Social after the debate, claiming Rogers completely dominated and calling El‑Sayed a jihadist lunatic.
- Oct 12 Collins publicly accused Ossoff of using Georgia to launch a 2028 presidential bid.
- Oct 17 The candidates held their first televised debate.
- Oct 18 Jeffries warned that the GOP's focus on the Long Island races may jeopardize the upstate district of retiring Elisa Stafanik.
- Oct 19 Trump posted a Truth Social attack on El‑Sayed and shared a Kid Rock video warning of religious conflict in Dearborn.
- Oct 22 The candidates participated in a final televised debate in Detroit.
- Oct 22 New polling shows El‑Sayed holding a slight edge over Rogers.
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