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Indian Americans Face Uncertain Electoral Future as Samosa Caucus Hangs in Balance
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Firstpost•13-10-2026, 13:23
Indian Americans Face Uncertain Electoral Future as Samosa Caucus Hangs in Balance
- •The informal Samosa Caucus of Indian American lawmakers faces potential shrinkage after two members lost their primaries earlier this year.
- •Democrats Amish Shah in Arizona and Pia Dandiya in Florida are running in tight races where anti-Trump sentiment could prove decisive.
- •Four other Democratic incumbents are running in safe districts, while three Indian American Republicans and three independents are also on the ballot.
- •The caucus size in Congress could range from six, five, or four depending on the outcome of the upcoming elections.
Key Questions Answered
Democratic Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi coined the term Samosa Caucus in May 2017 to describe the informal, growing grouping of Indian American lawmakers serving in Congress.
Amish Shah is running in Arizona's 1st Congressional District and Pia Dandiya is contesting Florida's 22nd Congressional District, with both facing competitive races where Democratic hopes rely on anti-Trump sentiment.
The first Indian American elected to Congress was Democrat Dalip Singh Saund, who won election in California's 29th Congressional District in 1956 and served until 1963.
