Indian-Americans Amish Shah, Pia Dandiya favoured in key US House races

Amish Shah and Pia Dandiya have emerged as favourites in key US House contests. Their campaigns could bolster the Democrats' push to regain control of the chamber.

In Short

• Early voting has begun across both states before the November 3 polls
• Shah previously served three terms in the Arizona House of Representatives
• He lost the 2024 congressional contest by just 3.8 per cent

Indian-American candidates Amish Shah and Pia Dandiya have favourable prospects in their races for the US House of Representatives in Arizona and Florida, according to pre-election predictions reported by news agency Press Trust of India.

The two Democrats are contesting key races in their party's attempt to win control of the House in the November 3 midterm elections. Early voting has begun in Arizona and Florida as President Donald Trump's Republican Party faces an electoral test against the Democratic Party.

Shah, a 48-year-old physician and former state representative, is contesting Arizona's First Congressional District against Republican candidate Jay Feely, a former National Football League kicker endorsed by Trump.

The Cook Political Report, which provides non-partisan analysis of election campaigns, has rated the race as leaning Democratic despite the constituency being a Republican stronghold. Prediction market Kalshi gives Shah an 80 per cent chance of defeating Feely, PTI reported.

“Jay Feely wants you to believe he's his own man. Meanwhile, Trump and his allies are spending millions to get their golf buddy elected. They know whose side he's on. I'm running to lower your costs and protect your healthcare. My loyalty is to you,” Shah said in a post on X.

Shah served three terms in the Arizona House of Representatives. He lost the 2024 US Congressional election to Republican David Schweikert by a margin of 3.8 per cent.

Dandiya, a 39-year-old former high school principal, is contesting South Florida's newly created 22nd Congressional District against Republican Casey Askar. The Cook Political Report has rated the race a toss-up, while Kalshi has projected a 60 per cent chance of a Dandiya victory, according to PTI.

Dandiya is campaigning on education and affordability. “I think we could use some high school principal energy in DC right about now,” she has repeatedly said during the campaign.

A first-generation American born and raised in Florida's Palm Beach County, Dandiya began her career as a teacher and later served as a high school principal in Harlem. According to her campaign website, she has worked as a school principal, policy leader and technology innovator to strengthen communities.

Dandiya founded a high school aimed at helping students from low-income families achieve economic independence. Every graduate of the school secured admission to college, although 86 per cent of its students lived in low-income households.

Her Republican rival, Askar, is an entrepreneur and military veteran who is highlighting his business experience and service-oriented approach.

The outgoing House has six Indian-American members: Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Shri Thanedar, Suhas Subramanyam, Ami Bera and Pramila Jayapal. The contests involving Shah and Dandiya remain important to the Democrats' effort to win control of the House.

With PTI Inputs

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