Pia Dandiya Victory Stabilizes Indian-American Presence in Congress

Dandiya, a former school principal, defeated Republican Casey Askar with 52 percent of the vote. Her entry into the House of Representatives offsets recent primary losses that threatened to shrink the caucus from six members to four. The group’s total strength remains fluid, pending the outcome in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District, where physician Amish Shah currently maintains a lead over Republican Jay Feely.

Incumbent lawmakers reinforced their positions elsewhere in the country. Suhas Subramanyam secured re-election in Virginia, while Pramila Jayapal and Ro Khanna retained their seats in Washington and California, respectively. Ami Bera also holds a significant lead in his redrawn California district. These results arrive after a challenging primary season that saw the departure of Raja Krishnamoorthi, who lost a Senate bid, and Shri Thanedar, who was defeated by Donavan McKinney in Michigan.

Since Dalip Singh Saund first took office in 1957, the congressional representation of the 5.5 million-strong Indian-American community has undergone a marked transformation. The current cohort, which reached a six-member peak in early 2025, reflects a broader shift toward greater political integration. While no immediate expansion is expected in the next session, the caucus appears set to maintain its hard-won influence in Washington.