Indian-American Candidates Amish Shah And Pia Dandiya Face Key US Midterm Battles

Two Indian-American Democratic candidates, Amish Shah and Pia Dandiya, are competing in closely watched US House races as early voting begins ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. Their contests in Arizona and Florida could help Democrats regain control of the House of Representatives from President Donald Trump’s Republican Party.

Shah, 48, an emergency physician and former three-term member of the Arizona House of Representatives, is challenging Republican Jay Feely, a former National Football League (NFL) kicker endorsed by Trump, in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District. The Cook Political Report rates the race “lean Democratic”, while prediction market Kalshi has given Shah an 80 per cent chance of winning, according to the figures cited in the original report.

The district is a key battleground after Republican David Schweikert, who defeated Shah by 3.8 percentage points in 2024, decided to run for governor rather than seek re-election. In their campaign, Shah has focused on lowering living costs and protecting healthcare, while Feely has highlighted his relationship with Trump, border security and support for the president’s policies. The candidates have also clashed over tariffs, taxes and data centres.

In Florida, Pia Dandiya, 39, a former high school principal, is contesting the newly redrawn 22nd Congressional District against Republican Casey Askar, an entrepreneur and military veteran. The Cook Political Report classifies the contest as a “toss-up”, while Kalshi has placed Dandiya’s chances of victory at 60 per cent, according to the original report.

Dandiya’s campaign centres on education, affordability and strengthening communities. A first-generation American born and raised in Palm Beach County, she began her career as a teacher and later led a high school in Harlem, New York. Her campaign says every graduate of the school she founded gained college admission, despite 86 per cent of students coming from low-income households.

The November 3 elections will test Republican support under Trump and determine the balance of power in the House. The outgoing chamber has six Indian-American representatives: Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Shri Thanedar, Suhas Subramanyam, Ami Bera and Pramila Jayapal.