US midterms: Two Indian-origin face-offs to watch, and why they matter

The 2026 US midterms feature two House contests in which Indian-origin candidates are running against each other. In California, Democratic incumbent Ro Khanna is facing Republican Ritesh Tandon. In Washington, Democratic incumbent Pramila Jayapal is challenging Republican Nirav Sheth.

Both contests offer a contrast between Indian-origin Democrats with established political records and Republican challengers campaigning on affordability, public safety, immigration and business growth. The races will also test the political diversity of the Indian-American community, which has traditionally leaned Democratic.

Also Read| Could America elect its first Muslim senator? Michigan's high-stakes race may make history

California’s 17th District: Ro Khanna vs Ritesh Tandon

Ro Khanna, a Democrat, is seeking another term from California’s 17th Congressional District, which covers parts of Silicon Valley. He has represented the district since 2017 and has developed a national profile through his work on technology, manufacturing, artificial intelligence and economic policy.

Khanna is the son of Indian immigrants and has positioned himself as a “progressive capitalist”. His platform includes expanding technical education, investing in American manufacturing, taxing companies that move factories overseas and protecting workers affected by artificial intelligence.

On immigration, Khanna supports legal status for Dreamers, family reunification visas and pathways to citizenship. He also supports reforming the H-1B system, arguing that companies should not use the programme to replace American workers or underpay foreign workers.

Tandon, an Indian-American engineer and businessman, is running as a Republican. This is his fourth campaign for the district. His campaign focuses on lowering living costs, reducing regulation, expanding housing supply and supporting technology and innovation.

Tandon has criticised California’s tax policies and opposed proposals for a billionaire wealth tax. He has also attacked Khanna over his support for race-based affirmative-action policies, including Proposition 16. On housing, Tandon has called for faster permits and low-cost housing to address the region’s high property prices.

The district is important because it sits at the centre of the US technology industry and debates over AI, skilled-worker visas, housing and high-income taxation. However, it is not considered a competitive seat. The Cook Political Report rates it “Solid D” and gives it a Democratic partisan voting index of D+21. Khanna also won 67.7% of the vote in 2024.

The contest is therefore more significant for representation and policy debate than for control of the House. It places two Indian-origin candidates on opposite sides of arguments over technology, immigration, taxes and the role of government.

Also Read| US Midterm Elections 2026: Where could Indian-American voters make a difference?

Washington’s 7th District: Pramila Jayapal vs Nirav Sheth

Pramila Jayapal, a Democrat born in Chennai, is seeking a sixth term from Washington’s 7th Congressional District. She represents most of Seattle and nearby areas and is one of the most prominent progressive lawmakers in Congress.

Jayapal is a leading voice on immigration, healthcare, workers’ rights, climate policy and economic inequality. She supports a pathway to citizenship for eligible immigrants, stronger protections for immigrant families and expanded access to healthcare.

She has also backed Medicare for All, debt-free higher education, stronger collective bargaining rights, higher wages and taxes on the wealthy. In Congress, she serves as the ranking member of the House Judiciary subcommittee dealing with immigration enforcement and security.

Her Republican challenger, Nirav Sheth, is an immigrant and businessman. He supports stronger border security while also advocating legal immigration and reforms to make the immigration process more efficient for people who want to work in the US.

Sheth’s campaign focuses on affordability, lower taxes, support for small businesses, technology-led growth and public safety. He has criticised Washington’s tax burden and argued that high taxes and regulations are driving businesses and investment away from the state.

He also supports investment in infrastructure, a stronger electricity grid, trade-school and apprenticeship programmes, and policies to encourage artificial-intelligence innovation.

The district is important because Jayapal is a senior Democratic voice on immigration and progressive economic policy. A victory would allow her to continue shaping debates over deportations, immigrant healthcare, AI regulation and worker protections.

The race, however, is heavily tilted towards Jayapal. She won 83.9% of the vote in 2024, while the district has a long Democratic history. Sheth’s challenge is therefore unlikely to determine House control, but it could show whether Republicans can make inroads among immigrant and Asian-American voters in the Seattle area.

Why these contests matter

The two races show that Indian-origin candidates in the US are not a politically uniform group. Khanna and Jayapal represent the Democratic Party’s progressive wing, while Tandon and Sheth are running as Republicans with greater emphasis on lower taxes, border security, regulation and business growth.

For Indian-American voters, the contests also bring issues such as skilled-worker visas, technology jobs, immigration, housing and education into focus. The races are unlikely to be decisive battlegrounds, but they highlight the community’s growing presence in American politics and the widening ideological range among its candidates.

Both seats will be decided on November 3, 2026. The results will affect the partisan balance of the House, where Republicans currently hold a narrow majority.