Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Indian-American Rivals Face Off in Washington Midterm Election
Pramila Jayapal and Nirav Sheth are competing for the same seat in the US House of Representatives.
The election will take place in Washington’s 7th Congressional District during the 2026 midterms.
Jayapal is a Democrat who has represented the district since 2017.
She was born in Chennai and became the first South Asian-American woman elected to Congress.
Sheth is a Republican who was born in Ahmedabad and moved to the United States in 2008.
He served in the US Marine Corps and later worked as a police officer.
Jayapal is known for focusing on immigration, healthcare, workers, and climate issues.
Sheth says he entered politics after problems including burglaries at his businesses and has criticized the administration.
Democratic incumbent Pramila Jayapal will face Republican challenger Nirav Sheth in Washington’s 7th Congressional District.
Jayapal, born in Chennai, is seeking a sixth term after representing the district since 2017.
Sheth, born in Ahmedabad, served as a US Marine aircraft mechanic and later worked as a police officer.
The district includes most of Seattle and is traditionally a stronghold for Democrats.
Jayapal emphasizes immigration, healthcare, workers’ rights, and climate policy, while Sheth has criticized the administration and entered politics after burglaries at his businesses.
- Who
- Democratic incumbent Pramila Jayapal and Republican challenger Nirav Sheth.
- What
- A contest for Washington’s 7th Congressional District seat in the US midterm elections.
- When
- The 2026 midterm election, scheduled for November.
- Where
- Washington State’s 7th Congressional District, which includes most of Seattle and nearby communities.
- Why
- Jayapal is seeking a sixth term, while Sheth is seeking his first election to the US legislature.
Pramila Jayapal’s Progressive Agenda
Nirav Sheth’s Challenge
Political priorities
Pramila Jayapal’s Progressive Agenda
Jayapal’s record emphasizes immigration reform, healthcare access, income equality, workers’ rights, and climate policy.
Nirav Sheth’s Challenge
Sheth has criticized the administration as a failure and entered politics after burglaries at his business establishments.
Election prospects
Pramila Jayapal’s Progressive Agenda
Jayapal has held the district since 2017 and benefits from its traditionally strong Democratic orientation.
Nirav Sheth’s Challenge
Sheth is seeking to win his first legislative office despite facing what the article describes as an arduous task in the heavily Democratic district.
- District
- Washington’s 7th Congressional District
- Incumbent
- Pramila Jayapal, Democrat
- Challenger
- Nirav Sheth, Republican
- Election
- 2026 US midterm election
- Jayapal’s tenure
- Representing the district since 2017 and seeking a sixth term
- Sheth’s background
- Former US Marine aircraft mechanic and Lakewood police officer
- District outlook
- A traditionally strong Democratic district in the Seattle region