Endorsed candidates include Pramila Jayapal from Washington and Ravi Bhalla from New Jersey for US Congress

Indian American Impact, a leading advocacy organization seeking the rise of Indian and South Asian American representation in politics, has endorsed 35 candidates for the 2024 election cycle.

Endorsed candidates include Pramila Jayapal, the first South Asian woman ever elected to the US Congress, for reelection to the US House of Representatives in Washington (WA-07) and Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla for his primary candidacy for the US House. If elected from NJ-08, Bhalla would be the first South Asian elected to Congress in New Jersey.

READ: Indian American Impact endorses 15 candidates (February 9, 2024)

Jayapal is seeking re-election for a fifth term to represent her district in the House of Representatives. As chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, she’s been instrumental in driving forward President Biden’s agenda with notable legislative victories such as the passage of the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act, which includes the most substantial investment in climate change action to date, Indian American Impact noted.

Notably, she has authored and championed crucial legislation tailored to address specific issues within the South Asian diaspora, exemplified by the South Asian Heart Health Awareness and Research Act of 2023 which has now passed the US House twice and once fully enacted, will save countless lives both within our communities and beyond, it said.

READ: Indian American Impact Fund endorses Suhas Subramanyam (January 8, 2024)

As one of the few immigrants serving in Congress, Jayapal has also been a steadfast advocate for immigration reform, advocating for pathways to citizenship and providing relief for green card holders, it added.

“With more than 50,000 South Asians residing in New Jersey district 8, Bhalla’s candidacy reflects the growing influence of South Asian Americans in American politics,” Indian American Impact stated.

The son of Indian immigrants, he champions hard work, opportunity, and his Sikh faith. Bhalla has devoted his life to justice, combating discrimination, and ensuring all New Jerseyans can pursue the American dream, it said.

A civil rights attorney, he’s nationally recognized for reforming federal visitation policies in correctional facilities. Serving on the Hoboken City Council from 2008-2016, Bhalla tackled corruption and mismanagement, later becoming Mayor in 2017 and securing re-election in 2021, showcasing his innovative leadership and dedication to moving Hoboken forward.

Indian American impact, which has supported 166 candidates across the country since its inception in 2016, has endorsed 11 other candidates in six states for various offices in the latest round.

READ: Indian American Impact endorses 7 more ‘trailblazing’ candidates (August 25, 2023)

“South Asian Americans are ascending to positions of leadership in public service at an extraordinary rate,” Taher Hasanali, Indian American Impact’s National Political Director, stated.

“Today, we’re proud to unequivocally support 11 Indian and South Asian Americans in six states running for office across all levels of local and state government: city council to state senate.”

“Each of these trailblazers is committed to championing our community’s priorities such as public education and increasing access to healthcare. Their unwavering commitment promises to enhance the lives of all Americans, while paving the way for future generations of South Asian leaders.”

Indian American Impact’s latest endorsed candidates:

Arizona:
Dr. Ravi Shah (incumbent) – Tucson Unified School District Governing Board

Georgia:
Ashwin Ramaswami – State Senate District 48

New York:
Zohran Mamdani (incumbent) – State Assembly District 36
Jeremy Cooney (incumbent) – State Senate District 56

Ohio:
Pavan Parikh (incumbent) – Hamilton County Clerk of Courts

Pennsylvania:
Nikil Saval (incumbent) – State Senate District 1

Texas:
Sumbel Zeb – Collin Central Appraisal District Board of Directors
Taral Patel – Fort Bend County Commissioner Precinct 3
Nabil Shike (incumbent) – Fort Bend County Constable Precinct 3
Ashika Ganguly – Austin City Council District 10
Suleman Lalani (incumbent) – State House District 76