Indian-American Democrats win key races in US midterms, Dandiya takes Florida seat

Indian-American Democrat Pia Dandiya defeated Republican Casey Askar in Florida's 22nd Congressional District, according to projections by Decision Desk HQ, CBS News and NBC News. NBC News reported that Dandiya secured 51.9 percent of the vote against Askar's 48.1 percent, with approximately 97.6 percent of the expected vote counted and more than 292,000 votes tallied.

Dandiya, a former school principal aged 39, contested the election from a newly redrawn congressional district in South Florida. Her campaign focused on rising living costs, economic affordability and expanding opportunities for local communities.

“We're going to deliver a Congress that actually puts the American people first.”

Indian-American Democrats Suhas Subramanyam and Aruna Miller also secured victories. Subramanyam, 40, was re-elected as US Congressman from Virginia, while Miller, 61, retained her position as Maryland's Lieutenant Governor.

Democrats flipped a Senate seat in North Carolina, with former Governor Roy Cooper defeating Republican Michael Whatley. The party also won races in Georgia and New Hampshire on Tuesday.

Republican Vivek Ramaswamy trailed Democratic challenger Amy Acton in Ohio's governor's race. Other Indian-American candidates remained in closely contested races across the United States.

More than 210 million Americans were eligible to vote in the midterm elections, which began at 6.00 am eastern time on Tuesday for 435 House seats, 37 Senate seats, 36 governorships and various local offices. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said Democrats were on the brink of dramatic change and of taking back the House.