Indian-American candidates Amish Shah and Pia Dandiya are emerging as significant contenders in two closely watched U.S. House races in Arizona and Florida, with both campaigns offering Democrats potential opportunities to gain seats in the November 3 midterm elections.
Early voting has begun in both states as the Democratic Party seeks to regain control of the House of Representatives. The contests are drawing attention amid predictions of a competitive election cycle for President Donald Trump’s Republican Party.
Shah, a 48-year-old physician and former Arizona state representative, is contesting the state’s First Congressional District against Republican candidate Jay Feely, a former National Football League kicker who has received Trump’s endorsement. The race is considered favourable to Democrats by several election analysts, although the outcome remains uncertain.
The Cook Political Report, a non-partisan election analysis organisation, has classified the Arizona contest as “lean Democratic”. Prediction market Kalshi has assigned Shah an 80% probability of winning, reflecting his position as a competitive challenger in the race.
Shah previously served three terms in the Arizona House of Representatives. He contested the 2024 congressional election but lost to Republican David Schweikert by a margin of 3.8 percentage points. His current campaign focuses on affordability and healthcare, while criticising the financial and political support behind his Republican opponent.
In a post on X, Shah argued that Feely’s campaign was closely aligned with Trump and his allies. He said his priorities included reducing living costs and protecting healthcare, adding that his loyalty was to voters.
In Florida, Pia Dandiya, a 39-year-old former high school principal, is contesting the newly drawn 22nd Congressional District against Republican candidate Casey Askar, an entrepreneur and military veteran. The race is considered more uncertain, with the Cook Political Report classifying it as a “toss-up”.
Kalshi has placed Dandiya’s chances of winning at 60%, indicating a competitive contest in a district that could prove important to Democratic efforts to secure a House majority.
Born and raised in Palm Beach County, Florida, Dandiya began her professional career as a teacher before becoming a high school principal in Harlem, New York. Her campaign centres on improving education, making living costs more manageable and expanding economic opportunities for communities.
Dandiya has also highlighted her experience in education and community development, arguing that the practical perspective of a school principal could bring a valuable approach to policymaking in Washington.
According to her campaign website, she is a first-generation American whose work has focused on strengthening communities through education, policy and technology. She founded a high school designed to help students from low-income backgrounds pursue better economic opportunities. The campaign states that every graduate of the school gained admission to college, despite 86% of students coming from low-income households.
Her Republican opponent, Askar, is highlighting his business experience and military service as central elements of his campaign.
The two races come at a critical time for Democrats, who are seeking to capitalise on voter dissatisfaction with the Republican administration and secure enough seats to take control of the House. The outcome could influence the direction of congressional oversight, healthcare policy, economic legislation and the administration’s broader legislative agenda.
The campaigns also reflect the growing visibility of Indian-American politicians in national politics. Six Indian Americans currently serve in the outgoing House of Representatives: Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Shri Thanedar, Suhas Subramanyam, Ami Bera and Pramila Jayapal.
A victory for Shah or Dandiya would add to the community’s representation in Congress and reinforce its expanding role in American electoral politics. With early voting underway and both contests attracting national attention, their performances could become important indicators of the broader political landscape ahead of the midterm elections.
