Indian Americans Make It Big In United States Congress

Indian Americans made a successful entry in domestic American politics today, with one becoming the first to be elected to the Senate and four others winning seats in the House of Representatives. Kamala Harris became a Senator from California, defeating fellow-Democrat Loretta Sanchez. Pramila Jayapal from Washington, Raja Krishnamoorthi from Illinois and Ro Khanna from California will join Ami Bera, who was re-elected from California, in the House of Representatives.

Tulsi Gabbard, who is a Hindu despite not being of Indian descent, was re-elected to the House from Hawaii. All the elected officials age between 35 years and 52 years and represent the emerging class of leaders. Thomas Abraham, Chairman of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin, told IANS:

The 52-year-old Kamala Harris, who traces her family roots to Chennai, is a lawyer by profession and was twice elected Attorney General, in 2010 and 2014. Harris is also counted as an African American, as her father is of African descent, making her the second American woman of African descent elected to the Senate; she joins two other African Americans in the Senate.

Following her parents’ divorce, Harris was raised by her mother Shyamala Gopalan, a cancer specialist from Chennai. Bera is a 51-year-old doctor. Jayapal, a 51-year-old financial analyst, defeated fellow-Democrat Brady Wilkinshaw. A civil rights activist involved in immigrant and women's rights causes, she was born in India. She received the endorsement of Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.

Krishnamoorthi was adviser to President Barack Obama on economic issues when he was a Senator, received a personal endorsement from Obama and defeated Republican Peter DiCianni. Born in India, he is a technology entrepreneur heading two companies, and has also served as Illinois state Deputy Treasurer and Assistant Attorney General on a special assignment to fight corruption.

Khanna, a former federal Deputy Assistant Commerce Secretary, defeated sitting Congressman Mike Honda in a bitter rematch with the endorsement of former President Jimmy Carter.

(With inputs from IANS)