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Indian-American Face-Off: Jayapal vs. Sheth in Washington's 7th Congressional District
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Firstpost•02-10-2026, 12:36
Indian-American Face-Off: Jayapal vs. Sheth in Washington's 7th Congressional District
- •Democrat Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, seeking her sixth term, faces Republican challenger Nirav Sheth in Washington State's 7th Congressional District.
- •Chennai-born Jayapal, a prominent Indian-American in Congress, focuses on immigration, civil rights, and progressive politics.
- •Ahmedabad-born Sheth, a US Marine-turned-politician, is making his political debut, motivated by concerns over current administration policies.
- •Jayapal became the first South Asian-American woman elected to the US Congress in 2016 and has championed Medicare for All and a $15 minimum wage.
- •Sheth faces an uphill battle in the heavily Democratic Seattle region, a traditional stronghold for Jayapal and the Democratic party.
Key Questions Answered
Democrat incumbent Pramila Jayapal is facing Republican challenger Nirav Sheth in Washington State's 7th Congressional district.
Nirav Sheth was born in Ahmedabad, immigrated to America in 2008, served as a US Marine Corps aircraft mechanic, and later worked as a police officer in Lakewood, Washington State before entering politics in 2023.
Pramila Jayapal won election to Washington's 7th Congressional District in 2016, becoming the first South Asian-American woman ever elected to the US Congress.
