Indian Americans have strengthened their representation in the U.S. House of Representatives, increasing their numbers from five to possibly seven members. Indian-American lawyer and Virginia State Senator Suhas Subramanyam made history by winning a congressional seat from Virginia’s 10th District, marking the first time an Indian American from the East Coast has been elected to Congress. Subramanyam, a former advisor to President Obama, joins the “Samosa Caucus”—a group of Indian American members currently serving in Congress, including Ami Bera, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ro Khanna, Pramila Jayapal, and Shri Thanedar, all of whom were re-elected.
Shri Thanedar secured his second term in Michigan’s 13th District, while Krishnamoorthi won Illinois’ 8th District for the fifth consecutive term. Dr. Ami Bera, the longest-serving Indian American in Congress, was re-elected for a seventh term in California’s 6th District. Ro Khanna and Pramila Jayapal were also re-elected.
Meanwhile, Dr. Amish Shah holds a narrow lead over his Republican rival in Arizona’s 1st District, which could further increase the number of Indian Americans in the House if confirmed.
The rising political profile of the Indian American community, now over 5.2 million strong, reflects its growing influence in U.S. politics. Historically aligned with the Democratic Party, the Indian American electorate remains largely loyal to it, though some shifts are seen, especially among young, U.S.-born men, a trend highlighted by the 2020 Indian American Attitudes Survey by Carnegie Endowment.
