The 2025 US election cycle has seen a surge in Indian-American candidates running for office across the country. Among the most prominent is Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, who has officially launched his campaign for Ohio’s gubernatorial race in 2026. Ramaswamy, who previously headed the Department of Government Efficiency under Elon Musk, has received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump and is advocating for major reforms in Ohio’s education system.
In another key Ohio race, former state senator Niraj Antani has entered the contest for Chief Financial Officer. Antani, first elected at the age of 23 in 2014, holds the distinction of being Ohio’s first Indian-American state senator and the youngest Indian and Hindu American to hold state or federal office in the US.
On the Democratic side, multiple Indian Americans are competing for office. Former deputy assistant secretary of the US Treasury, Dini Ajmani, is campaigning to replace Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla, with elections set for November 4, 2025. Ajmani, who has a background in finance and public administration, aims to continue Bhalla’s legacy in city governance.
Shashi Sinha, originally from Bihar, is running for Mayor of Rochester, New York, challenging incumbent Malik Evans in the Democratic primaries on June 24, 2025. Sinha, a corporate professional and real estate investor, has made affordable housing, quality education, and economic growth the focus of his campaign.
Balvir Singh, the first Sikh legislator in New Jersey, is seeking re-election to the state’s General Assembly from District 7. Having served as a Burlington County Commissioner, Singh has been active in education and economic development efforts. His Democratic primary election is scheduled for June 10, 2025.
Aishwarya Balakrishna, a public health advocate, is running for Naperville Park District Commissioner in Illinois, while Anant Nambiar is contesting for a seat on the Westchester County Board of Legislators in New York. Both candidates have emphasized community engagement and local governance.
Zohran Kwame Mamdani, currently a New York State Assembly member, is aiming for the Mayor of New York seat in the Democratic primary on June 24, 2025. Meanwhile, Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar has launched her campaign for NYC Public Advocate, backed by endorsements from Indian-American Congress members Ro Khanna and Shri Thanedar.
The Indian-American Impact Fund, an organization promoting South Asian representation in US politics, has endorsed several candidates, including Ajmani, Sinha, Nambiar, Singh, and Balakrishna. The group also previously supported Kannan Srinivasan and J.J. Singh, who won their Virginia legislative races earlier this year.
Additionally, Ghazala Hashmi, a Virginia State Senator born in Hyderabad, is running in the Democratic primary for the state’s Lieutenant Governor position on June 17, 2025. With a strong academic and public service background, Hashmi aims to bring progressive policies to the forefront.
With a record number of Indian Americans entering political races, the 2025 elections are set to showcase the growing influence of South Asian leaders in shaping US governance at both local and state levels.
