Indian American Sikh Rishi Bagga is set to contest the November 7 State Representative special election, aiming to represent House District 35 in the special Democratic primary. Last year, Bagga secured the Democratic nomination for the same district, but lost in the general elections to Republican Incumbent Fred Hawkins in 2022.
Bagga, the son of Indian immigrants and born in Canada, migrated to the US at 10. He began his career as an assistant state attorney at the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office. He’s been associated with various legal firms in Miami and Orlando and served as the national president of the South Asian Bar Association of North America (SABA North America) from 2017 to 2018.
He’s currently a member of the Orange County Charter Review Commission and actively participates in legal and business groups such as the Indian American Business Association and the Asian American Hotel Owners Association in the Orlando area.
Bagga, upon declaring his candidacy, pledged to diversify Florida’s economy, implement science-based policymaking, expand Medicaid, fully fund public schools, enhance school safety, and strike a balance between environment, equity, and economy.
His campaign also focuses on providing a platform for the immigrant population, ensuring they have equal opportunities to achieve the American Dream. Bagga, who gained US citizenship in 2002, remains dedicated to representing the interests of his community and the broader public.
