US midterm elections 2026: Who are the Indian-origin candidates and where are they contesting?

Indian-origin candidates are competing across multiple levels of US government in the November 3, 2026, elections. Their races cover Congress, state legislatures, a governorship, a state attorney generalship and local government. The states named include California, Washington, Virginia, Arizona, Florida, Texas, Ohio, New York and Maryland.

Four Democratic House lawmakers are seeking re-election: Ro Khanna in California, Pramila Jayapal in Washington, Ami Bera in California and Suhas Subramanyam in Virginia. Other congressional candidates include Amish Shah in Arizona and Pia Dandiya in Florida. Khanna faces Republican Ritesh Tandon, while Jayapal faces Nirav Sheth.

At the state level, Pooja Sethi and Sandeep Srivastava are running in Texas. Vivek Ramaswamy is seeking Ohio’s governorship, Saritha Komatireddy is challenging New York Attorney General Letitia James, and Nithya Raman is challenging Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. The article does not provide full details for every local contest.

A US midterm election is a nationwide election held halfway through a president’s four-year term. It is called a midterm because it occurs between presidential elections. These elections matter because voters choose lawmakers and many state and local officials, even though they do not choose the president.

On November 3, 2026, all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 Senate seats are scheduled to be contested. The same election cycle includes gubernatorial races and contests for state legislatures. The article also identifies local government races, including a challenge for Los Angeles mayor.

The offices operate at different levels. Congress handles federal representation, governors lead states, state legislators make state laws, and local officials govern cities. The results could therefore change power in Washington while also affecting policy and leadership closer to voters.

The 2026 elections will contest 470 congressional seats in total. That figure combines all 435 seats in the House of Representatives with 35 of the Senate’s 100 seats. The scale makes the election important for determining which party controls Congress during the final two years of President Donald Trump’s second term.

Republicans currently hold 219 House seats, compared with 214 for Democrats. Two House seats are vacant. In the Senate, Republicans hold 53 of 100 seats, leaving 47 seats for Democrats and any independents aligned with them under the article’s numerical breakdown.

These figures describe the starting balance, not the election result. House control could change through many individual district races, while only the 35 scheduled Senate contests are on the ballot. The races involving Indian-American candidates form one part of this larger national contest.

Control of Congress matters because the House and Senate decide whether federal legislation advances. A president may propose policies, but Congress must generally pass laws and approve funding. The party controlling both chambers can set priorities, schedule votes and influence which proposals receive serious consideration.

For example, the current article states that Republicans hold both chambers. If that control continues, Republican leaders would have greater influence over legislation, spending decisions and congressional oversight during the final two years of Donald Trump’s second term. If Democrats gain one or both chambers, the balance of power would change.

Congressional control also affects scrutiny of the executive branch. Committees can hold hearings and investigations, while the Senate has important constitutional responsibilities, including confirming many presidential nominees. The 2026 results therefore matter beyond individual races: they could shape national policy and the president’s room to govern.

A US representative serves in the House and represents a congressional district in the federal government. Representatives debate and vote on national laws and federal spending. A governor leads a state’s executive branch, implements state laws and oversees statewide administration. These general role descriptions extend beyond the article’s specific candidate details.

State legislators serve in a state house or senate. They write and vote on state laws, including policies involving education, taxation and healthcare. A state attorney general oversees the state’s legal affairs and enforcement of laws within the state’s jurisdiction. The article gives that description for New York’s office.

A mayor leads a city government and manages local priorities and services under city authority. The article identifies Nithya Raman’s challenge to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Because these offices control different jurisdictions, elections can affect national policy, state programs or daily city government.

Election results can change representation in Congress because incumbents may retain or lose their seats, and challengers may win open contests. The article highlights four Indian-American Democratic House members seeking re-election: Ro Khanna, Pramila Jayapal, Ami Bera and Suhas Subramanyam. Their outcomes will directly affect the group’s House presence.

Other congressional races could add to that representation. Amish Shah is running in Arizona, and Pia Dandiya is running in Florida. Khanna faces Ritesh Tandon, while Jayapal faces Nirav Sheth, creating contests involving candidates of Indian origin on opposing parties’ tickets.

Representation could also expand in state and local government. Pooja Sethi and Sandeep Srivastava are seeking Texas House seats, Vivek Ramaswamy is running for Ohio governor, and candidates are contesting offices in New York and Los Angeles. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Shri Thanedar have already lost their primaries, according to the article.

The US federal system divides public authority among the national government, individual states and local governments. Congress and federal officials address national matters. States manage statewide institutions and policies, while cities handle local government within powers granted by their states. This structure means one election cannot choose every official who affects voters.

The article illustrates the division through different races. House candidates seek federal representation, while Pooja Sethi and Sandeep Srivastava are running for the Texas House. Vivek Ramaswamy is seeking Ohio’s governorship, and Nithya Raman is challenging the mayor of Los Angeles. Each office operates in a different jurisdiction.

Elections at every level therefore matter. Congressional results can change control of federal lawmaking. State results can influence education, taxation and healthcare policy. City contests can change local leadership. Together, these races determine who makes decisions across the layers of government that affect communities.