Three cheers: Virgina, Cincinnati pick Indian-origin leaders too

In a landmark night for Indian-origin and South Asian Americans, several leaders registered major victories in the 2025 US polls, underscoring the growing political influence of the Indian diaspora across the country.

The three wins — spanning Ohio, Virginia, and New York — mark a historic breakthrough for diversity in American public life, with each leader achieving a significant first in their respective states and cities.

In Cincinnati, Ohio, Aftab Pureval — the son of an Indian father and Tibetan mother — secured re-election as mayor, defeating Republican challenger Cory Bowman, the half-brother of US Vice-President JD Vance. Pureval, first elected in 2021, has been credited with revitalising Cincinnati’s downtown economy and promoting inclusion through civic partnerships.

His victory reaffirms the sustained rise of Indian-American leadership at the municipal level and highlights his reputation for pragmatic, community-driven governance.

In Virginia, Ghazala Hashmi won the lieutenant governor’s race, becoming the first Muslim woman ever elected to statewide office in the US.

Hashmi campaigned on education reform, reproductive rights, and climate action, defeating Republican nominee Winsome Reid in one of the most closely watched races of the night. Her victory is seen as a powerful moment for both gender and minority representation in American politics.

In New York, Zohran Mamdani, an Indian-origin Democratic lawmaker from Queens, achieved a stunning victory over former governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa to become the city’s first Muslim mayor.