Archive · 7 Aug 2026
Indian-American congressional candidates post mixed results in US midterm primaries
The United States is holding big elections this year called the midterms.
People vote to choose who will represent them in Congress.
Several candidates whose families came from India are running in these elections.
Most of them are part of the Democratic party.
Before the big November election, candidates must win a smaller race called a primary.
Amish Shah, Ro Khanna, Pramila Jayapal and Darshana Patel won their primaries.
Bushra Amiwala, Saikat Chakrabarti and Shri Thanedar lost.
Raja Krishnamoorthi lost his race for the Senate.
Vivek Ramaswamy is not running for Congress — he is running to be governor of Ohio.
People are curious to see how the Indian-American candidates do in the November election.
All 7 Indian-origin congressional candidates profiled in the article are running on the Democratic ticket in the 2026 US midterms.
Amish Shah won Arizona's 1st District Democratic primary in July 2026 and Ro Khanna won California's 17th District top-two primary.
Pramila Jayapal advanced from Washington's August 4, 2026 top-two primary, moving toward the November general election.
Shri Thanedar lost his Michigan primary to Donavan McKinney, Saikat Chakrabarti placed third in California's 11th District, and Bushra Amiwala lost in Illinois' 9th District.
Raja Krishnamoorthi lost his Senate primary and his House term ends in 2027, while Vivek Ramaswamy is running for Ohio governor against Amy Acton.
- Who
- Indian-origin candidates in US races, including Amish Shah, Ro Khanna, Pramila Jayapal, Darshana Patel, Shri Thanedar, Saikat Chakrabarti, Bushra Amiwala, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Vivek Ramaswamy.
- What
- Indian-American candidates are contesting congressional, Senate and gubernatorial races in the 2026 US midterms, with mixed primary results.
- When
- 2026 midterm election cycle; primaries ran from March to August 2026, and the general election is on November 3, 2026.
- Where
- United States — including Arizona, California, Illinois, Michigan, Washington and Ohio.
- Why
- Candidates are seeking to convert the community's growing demographic and economic clout into political power.
- Election
- US midterm elections, 2026
- General election date
- November 3, 2026
- Indian-origin congressional candidates profiled
- 7 candidates
- Party affiliation
- All profiled congressional candidates are Democrats
- Primary winners
- Amish Shah, Ro Khanna, Pramila Jayapal, Darshana Patel
- Primary losers
- Bushra Amiwala, Saikat Chakrabarti, Shri Thanedar
- Ohio governor's race
- Vivek Ramaswamy vs. Amy Acton
- Senate race
- Raja Krishnamoorthi lost his primary; House term ends in 2027