Notable Indian-Americans Who Secured Major Victories in the 2024 US Elections

The 'Samosa Caucus' is an informal term for a group of Indian-American lawmakers in the United States Congress, primarily composed of members from the Democratic Party.

The term was introduced by Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi from Illinois in 2018 to celebrate the growing representation and influence of Indian Americans in U.S. politics.

The reason for sharing this information is that in the 2024 US Elections, scheduled for November 5, 2024, six prominent Indian Americans achieved significant victories, which greatly impacted representation in government.

Here are the Indian-American trailblazers who have made a significant contribution to the 2024 US election results.

Meet the 6 Indian-American Winners of the 2024 US Elections

According to Forbes India, here is the list of the Indian American winners in the 2024 U.S. elections for the House of Representatives. These candidates have secured seats in the House of Representatives, marking an increase from five in the previous Congress. The list includes:

In the 2024 U.S. elections, Suhas Subramanyam emerged as the new Indian American member elected to the House of Representatives. 

His victory marks a significant milestone as he is the first Indian American to be elected from Virginia and the entire East Coast. Subramanyam, a lawyer and former Virginia State Senator, won against Republican Mike Clancy in Virginia's 10th Congressional District.

Alongside Subramanyam, here are the districts represented by the other Indian American members who were re-elected:

• Ami Bera - California's 6th District
• Raja Krishnamoorthi - Illinois's 8th District
• Ro Khanna - California's 17th District
• Pramila Jayapal - Washington's 7th District
• Shri Thanedar - Michigan's 13th District

Additionally, Dr Amish Shah is currently leading a tight race for Arizona's 1st Congressional District, which could increase the total number of Indian American representatives to seven once final results are confirmed.

Suhas Subramanyam

• Suhas Subramanyam made history in the 2024 elections by becoming the first Indian American elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Virginia, specifically representing the 10th Congressional District. 
• Born in Houston to Indian immigrant parents from Bengaluru and Chennai, Subramanyam's journey reflects the American dream. 
• His parents instilled in him the values of education and service, which have guided his career choices. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Tulane University and a Juris Doctor from Northwestern University.
• Before his congressional run, Subramanyam served as a Virginia State Senator and was appointed by President Barack Obama as a White House technology policy advisor. 
• His legislative focus has included healthcare access, economic development, and education reform. 
• Subramanyam emphasises the importance of creating opportunities for all Americans and ensuring that future generations inherit a better country. He lives in Ashburn, Virginia, with his wife Miranda and their two daughters.

Ami Bera

• Ami Bera has been a prominent figure in U.S. politics since his election to Congress in 2013, representing California's 6th District. 
• As the longest-serving Indian American in Congress, Bera has built a reputation for advocating for healthcare reform, scientific research, and immigration reform. 
• Born in Los Angeles to Indian immigrant parents from Punjab, he pursued a medical career before entering politics. Bera earned his M.D. from the University of California, Irvine, and practised medicine before turning to public service.
• Throughout his tenure, Bera has focused on bipartisan cooperation to address pressing issues such as climate change and economic inequality. 
• He serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where he works on international relations and national security matters. 
• Bera's commitment to community engagement is evident through his regular town hall meetings with constituents. He continues to be a voice for diversity and representation in Congress.

Raja Krishnamoorthi

• Raja Krishnamoorthi represents Illinois's 8th District and has been an influential member of Congress since 2017. 
• Born in India and immigrating to the U.S. at a young age, Krishnamoorthi's background as a lawyer and entrepreneur informs his legislative priorities. 
• He graduated from Princeton University and earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School before founding a successful consulting firm.
• In Congress, Krishnamoorthi has focused on issues such as economic growth, education reform, and national security. 
• He is known for his work on technology policy and cybersecurity, serving as the ranking member of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. 
• His advocacy for small businesses and innovation reflects his commitment to fostering economic opportunity for all Americans.

Ro Khanna

• Ro Khanna has represented California's 17th District since 2017 and is recognised for his progressive stance on various issues, including technology policy, environmental sustainability, and social justice. 
• Born in Pennsylvania to Indian immigrant parents from Punjab, Khanna graduated from the University of Chicago and earned his J.D. from Yale Law School.
• Khanna’s career began in Silicon Valley, where he worked as an attorney before entering politics. He advocates for policies that support innovation while addressing income inequality and climate change. 
• Serving on the House Armed Services Committee, he emphasises diplomacy over military intervention in foreign policy matters. 
• Khanna is also known for engaging with younger voters through social media platforms.

Pramila Jayapal

• Pramila Jayapal represents Washington's 7th District and is notable for being the first South Asian American woman elected to Congress. 
• Born in India and raised in both India and the United States, she has been a strong advocate for progressive policies since her election in 2016. Jayapal holds degrees from Georgetown University and Barnard College.
• Her legislative efforts focus on healthcare reform—particularly Medicare for All—immigration reform and civil rights advocacy. Jayapal co-chairs the Congressional Progressive Caucus and actively works to unite progressive voices within Congress to champion social justice initiatives. 
• Her leadership style emphasises grassroots activism, reflecting her background as an advocate for immigrant rights prior to her congressional career.

Shri Thanedar

• Shri Thanedar represents Michigan's 13th District after winning re-election in 2024. Originally from Karnataka, India, Thanedar immigrated to the U.S. for higher education in 1979 and built a successful career as an entrepreneur before entering politics. 
• He founded several companies in the chemical industry and sold one of them for $20 million. 
• Thanedar's political focus includes economic development, healthcare access, and educational opportunities for underserved communities. 
• His experience as a businessman informs his approach to job creation and support for small businesses in Michigan. 
• He is known for advocating policies that promote technological advancement while ensuring equitable access for all constituents.

Dr. Amish Shah

• Dr Amish Shah is currently leading in Arizona's 1st Congressional District race after securing significant support during the elections. 
• A physician by training with roots tracing back to India, Shah has emphasised healthcare access throughout his campaign while advocating for progressive reforms.
• Shah’s educational background includes degrees from prestigious institutions where he focused on medicine before transitioning into public service. 
• His commitment to improving healthcare systems reflects personal experiences within underserved communities where he practised medicine.
• If confirmed as a winner following final vote counts, Shah will join the ranks of other Indian American lawmakers in Congress known collectively as the "Samosa Caucus," further enhancing representation within U.S. politics.