Indian-American candidates are poised to rewrite political history in at least five US states in the November 3 elections, with a new poll showing Los Angeles City Council member Nithya Raman leading incumbent Mayor Karen Bass in what could become a landmark mayoral race. From a potential first Hindu in the Texas Legislature to a first South Asian nominee for statewide office in New York, the 2026 cycle is shaping up as a watershed moment for Indian-American political representation.

Raman Leads in Los Angeles Mayoral Race

A Manhattan Institute poll of likely voters, published on Friday, placed Raman at 38 per cent against Bass's 32 per cent, according to Political Wire. The margin of error stands at 4.6 points, keeping the contest competitive. If elected, Raman would become the city's first Indian-American mayor. The race is nonpartisan.

The result marks a reversal from the June 2 primary, where Bass won 34.3 per cent to Raman's 29.0 per cent. The two are scheduled to face each other in a final debate on Tuesday. At a mayoral forum on 29 September, Raman said: 'I'm running for mayor because I don't want to ignore any part of this city. We need to build more housing in Los Angeles, but we need to build it across every single neighborhood.'

Texas, Georgia, and a Wave of 'Firsts'

In Austin, Democrat Pooja Sethi — an immigration lawyer and chair of the Travis County Democratic Party — is running for the open Texas House District 47 seat against Republican Jennifer Mushtaler. Sethi won her primary with approximately 76 per cent of the vote and, if elected, would become both the first Indian American and the first Hindu in the Texas Legislature. She attracted national attention earlier this year after responding on X to a Turning Point commentator: 'My heritage isn't an insult. It's my story. And like millions of Americans, it's rooted in hard work, faith in this country, and service to our community.'

In Gwinnett County, Georgia, Democrat Jyot Singh is contesting House District 97 against Republican Yassin Moghazy after winning the 19 May primary with 59.1 per cent. A Yale graduate endorsed by Congressman Ro Khanna, Singh would be Georgia's first Sikh elected official, according to his campaign and community media coverage.

New York and Maryland: Statewide Ambitions

In New York, Republican Saritha Komatireddy is challenging Democratic Attorney General Letitia James, making her the first South Asian major-party nominee for statewide office in the state. Born in Brooklyn to parents who emigrated from India in the 1980s, Komatireddy is a former clerk to Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh and a former federal terrorism prosecutor. President Donald Trump endorsed her in August. A Siena poll conducted 11–17 September put James at 52 per cent and Komatireddy at 39 per cent, narrowing an earlier 18-point gap. Komatireddy told NY1 in August: 'You can work hard, dream big, and have a shot at achieving those dreams.'

In Maryland's District 39, Democrat Amar Mukunda is all but assured of a state Senate seat after defeating Senate Majority Leader Nancy King in the June primary — 48.6 per cent to 36.1 per cent — with no Republican filing for the seat. Mukunda, whose parents are from India and Pakistan, would reportedly be the first South Asian state senator in Maryland. 'This campaign was not about me, nor was it about Senator King's dedication and service to our community. It was a movement of people willing to say the obvious: our politics are stuck, the way we do things has to change, and Annapolis must deliver better results,' he said in a statement. Also in Maryland, Hyderabad-born Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller is seeking a second term on Governor Wes Moore's ticket.

A Broader Milestone in Indian-American Politics

The 2026 cycle builds on a deepening track record. Zohran Mamdani became New York City's first Indian-American mayor last year, while Bobby Jindal and Nikki Haley were the first two Indian-American governors. Indian American Impact counts more than 250 Indian Americans currently in elected office across the United States. The trail was blazed by Maryland Democrat Kumar Barve, who in 1990 became the first Indian American elected to any state legislature when he joined the Maryland House of Delegates.

With results due on 3 November, each of these races carries implications not only for the candidates themselves but for the growing visibility of South Asian communities in mainstream American political life.