The 2026 US midterm elections are bringing a new group of Indian-American candidates into congressional contests across the country, with Ritesh Tandon, Nirav Sheth and Sandeep Dixit pursuing political careers through three distinct paths.
The candidates are competing in California, Washington and Ohio and come from varied professional backgrounds, including technology, military service, law enforcement, engineering and entrepreneurship. Their campaigns illustrate the growing diversity of political participation among Indian Americans in the United States.
In California, technology entrepreneur Ritesh Tandon is running as a Republican against Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna in the 17th Congressional District. Federal Election Commission records identify Tandon as a Republican candidate for the seat.
Tandon moved to the United States from India as a student and developed his career in Silicon Valley. His professional experience includes positions at Cisco and Jabra. He later founded Kricel Corporation and became its CEO.
His campaign is addressing issues such as the economy, government regulation, healthcare, education and the cost of living. His congressional bid is taking place in a district closely connected to the technology industry where he built much of his professional career.
In Washington, Indian-American Republican Nirav Sheth is challenging Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal in the 7th Congressional District. The contest brings two candidates with Indian roots into competition while representing different political parties.
Sheth moved to the United States in 2008 to study computer and electrical engineering. His career subsequently took him from technology into military and public service. He spent four years in the US Marine Corps, serving as an aircraft mechanic and military police officer, before working as a police officer in Lakewood, Washington. He later moved into business.
Ohio presents a different political model through Sandeep Dixit, who is running as an independent in the 13th Congressional District. Federal Election Commission records list him as an independent House candidate.
Dixit came to the United States from India at age 21 and built a career in technology and software development. His campaign has positioned itself outside the traditional two-party structure, emphasizing jobs, affordability, healthcare, environmental protection and technology.
Together, the three campaigns demonstrate the range of political approaches emerging among Indian Americans. Tandon is seeking office as a Republican in California, Sheth is running as a Republican in Washington, and Dixit is pursuing an independent campaign in Ohio.
Their candidacies add to the growing visibility of Indian Americans in US politics while highlighting the different professional experiences and political perspectives represented within the community. The 2026 midterms will provide another important chapter in the evolution of Indian-American participation in American public life.
