Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Two Indian Americans advance in Washington congressional primary
Two people in the state of Washington won the first round of voting for a job in the United States Congress — the group of people who help make laws for the whole country.
Those two people are Pramila Jayapal and Nirav Sheth.
Pramila Jayapal already has the job and has won it many times before.
She got the most votes, with 83.3 out of every 100.
Nirav Sheth is running for the first time, and he came in second with 10.8 votes out of every 100.
In Washington state, the two people with the most votes get to try again in a bigger election later this year, no matter which team they belong to.
Pramila was born in India and moved to America when she was 16 years old.
Nirav was also born in India and moved to America as an adult to study, and he later fixed airplanes for the Marines.
He says some of his businesses were broken into, and he thinks the people in charge are not doing a good job.
In the next election, voters will choose just one of them to represent their area.
Pramila Jayapal and Nirav Sheth, both Indian Americans, advanced from Washington state's 7th congressional district all-party primary.
Jayapal, the five-term Democratic incumbent, led the primary with 83.3% of the vote.
Sheth, a Republican running for office for the first time, finished second with 10.8%.
Washington's open primary system sends the top two finishers to the November general election regardless of party.
Jayapal is the first South Asian American woman elected to the House; Sheth said break-ins at his businesses prompted him to run.
- Who
- Pramila Jayapal, the Democratic incumbent, and Nirav Sheth, the Republican challenger, both Indian Americans in Washington state's 7th congressional district.
- What
- Both advanced from the all-party primary to the November general election for the district's U.S. House seat.
- When
- Primary day was Tuesday, August 4; the Associated Press called the race after 53% of votes were counted.
- Where
- Washington state's 7th congressional district, which covers Seattle and nearby areas.
- Why
- Washington's open primary advances the top two finishers to the general election regardless of party, and Jayapal and Sheth finished first and second.
Progressive incumbent camp
Republican challenger camp
Reason for entering the race
Progressive incumbent camp
Jayapal, backed by Bernie Sanders and chair emerita of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, is seeking re-election after serving five terms representing the district.
Republican challenger camp
Sheth, a first-time candidate, said break-ins at several of his businesses in Washington state prompted his decision to run.
Assessment of the current administration
Progressive incumbent camp
Jayapal won the primary decisively with 83.3% of the vote, and her caucus represents nearly half of the Democratic members in the House, indicating support for her approach.
Republican challenger camp
Sheth called the current administration 'a complete failure,' blaming it for problems such as the break-ins at his businesses.
- Primary winner
- Pramila Jayapal (Democrat, incumbent) — 83.3% of the vote
- Primary runner-up
- Nirav Sheth (Republican) — 10.8% of the vote
- District
- Washington's 7th congressional district, covering Seattle and nearby areas
- Primary system
- Open primary; top two finishers advance regardless of party
- Race called
- By the Associated Press after 53% of votes were counted
- General election
- November election for the congressional seat
- Pramila Jayapal profile
- Age 60; first South Asian American woman elected to the House; first elected in 2016; chair emerita of the Congressional Progressive Caucus
- Nirav Sheth profile
- Age 40; born in Ahmedabad, Gujarat; former US Marine aircraft mechanic and Lakewood police officer; entered politics in 2023