Burt Thakur, a U.S. Navy veteran and Jeopardy champion, has now added another achievement to his inspiring journey—becoming the first Indian American elected to the Frisco City Council. His victory in Saturday’s election came as a surprise upset over an incumbent, marking a significant milestone for the growing Indian American community in the Texas city.
At 42, Thakur is no stranger to impactful moments. He joined the military just before the September 11 attacks and later etched his name into television history by winning the final Jeopardy episode hosted by the legendary Alex Trebek. Thakur had emotionally shared that he learned English by watching Trebek’s show, a moment that resonated with viewers nationwide.
Now turning to public service, Thakur said his campaign focused entirely on community engagement—without resorting to negative ads. “We knocked on thousands of doors,” he shared, adding, “I expected to win because of the hard work we put in.”
His win carries symbolic weight in Frisco, where Indian Americans make up 15% of the population but had never held public office until now. “This energized not only the Indian community but the whole city,” Thakur said, pointing to high voter turnout as a reflection of renewed civic participation.
Thakur ran on a platform prioritizing the needs of Frisco residents over tourist-driven agendas. He highlighted the city’s lack of essential services—like an animal shelter, a veterans’ clinic, autism support facilities, and geriatric care centers—despite having nearly 250,000 residents. Even basic infrastructure, like reliable mobile service, needs improvement, he noted.
When asked about his political future, Thakur was candid. “I want to prove I’m good at this job first,” he said with a laugh. “My goal is to be an advocate so that people can dream bigger. There’s nothing wrong with thinking big.”
His election signals a broader change—not just in demographics but in how communities across the U.S. are seeking more inclusive and representative leadership.
