US Midterm elections results: Indian-American Democrat Pramila Jayapal wins against Nirav Sheth from Washington; continues fight for immigrant rights

Indian-American Democrat Pramila Jayapal has won re-election to the US House of Representatives from Washington's 7th Congressional District in the November 3, 2026, US midterm elections.

Jayapal, who was first elected to Congress in 2016, represents a district covering most of Seattle and surrounding areas, including Shoreline, Vashon Island, Lake Forest Park and parts of Burien and Normandy Park.

According to The Associated Press election results, Jayapal secured 177,700 votes, accounting for 87.5 per cent of the votes counted. Her Republican challenger, Nirav Sheth, received 24,654 votes, or 12.1 per cent. The Associated Press called the race for Jayapal with 59 per cent of the votes reported, according to the latest results displayed.


Background

Born in India, Jayapal moved to the United States alone at the age of 16 to attend Georgetown University. She later earned an MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. She is the first South Asian American woman elected to the US House of Representatives and one of the few naturalised citizens serving in Congress.

Jayapal's Republican challenger, Nirav Sheth, served in the US Marine Corps from 2011 to 2014. He earned an associate degree from the Government Polytechnic State of Gujarat, India, in 2006. His professional experience includes working as a business owner and president.

Immigration reform a major focus

Immigration has been one of Jayapal's key areas of work in Congress. She has advocated for a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and changes to the country's immigration enforcement and detention policies.

Her work also has implications for Indian professionals and families waiting for employment-based green cards.

Jayapal has supported removing per-country limits on employment-based immigrant visas, which have contributed to long waiting periods for applicants from countries such as India and China. She has also defended the H-1B visa programme and opposed proposals that would restrict work authorisation for spouses of H-1B visa holders.

She has supported legislation to provide permanent legal protections and a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, who were brought to the US as children, as well as people with Temporary Protected Status.

Jayapal has also worked on legislation concerning immigration detention. Her proposed Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act seeks to change detention practices and strengthen protections for immigrants in custody.

From immigrant rights advocate to Congress

Before entering national politics, Jayapal spent nearly a decade working in global health and development with the non-profit organisation Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH).

In 2001, she founded OneAmerica, an immigrant advocacy organisation in Washington state, and led it for 12 years. She entered electoral politics in 2014, winning a seat in the Washington State Senate representing the 37th legislative district. She became the first South Asian American elected to the state legislature.

In Congress, Jayapal has also focussed on healthcare, workers' rights, education, housing and climate change. She has been the lead sponsor of the Medicare for All legislation in the House and authored the College for All Act, which seeks to expand access to higher education.

She has served as chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and is currently its Chair Emerita. She also serves on the House Judiciary, Foreign Affairs and Budget committees.