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<\/a>That number is expected to increase to five if Democratic Congressman Ami Bera is declared elected for a third consecutive term after a recounting of votes. In 2012, and in 2014, Bera’s race was too close to call on the election night.<\/p>\n
On both occasions, Bera emerged winner.<\/p>\n
“It is a no mean achievement. This is a moment of celebration,” said M.R. Rangaswami, a Silicon Valley-based investor, entrepreneur and philanthropist.<\/p>\n
He had held fund-raising events for almost all of them.<\/p>\n
“It is important that Indian Americans become part of the political mainstream,” he said.<\/p>\n
Rangaswami hoped the “historic election” would encourage others from the community to run for not only Congressional elections, but also those at state and city levels.<\/p>\n
“We are growing up and growing out,” said Sekhar Narasimhan, an activist in the Greater Washington area.<\/p>\n He has been encouraging young Indian Americans to run for elected offices.<\/p>\n Ajay Jain Bhutoria from California, who too had raised funds for these candidates, said: “This is matter of pride for Indian-American community.”<\/p>\n Another Indian American, San Jose Councilmember Democrat Ash Kalra surged ahead of Madison Nguyen in a close race for California’s 27th Assembly District. Nguyen conceded Nov. 11, according to a report in Los Angeles Times.<\/i><\/p>\n Indian Americans, one of the fastest growing ethnic groups in the U.S., this year pooled resources from across the country through fund-raising events and by volunteering time and effort.<\/p>\n For instance, the Indian American community in Tampa, Fla., one of the battleground states – held fund-raising events for Raja Krishnamoorthi, while those in the greater Washington area raised money for Ro Khanna, Raja and Pramila Jayapal and several others running for Congress.<\/p>\n After a bitter experience in the past, in particular with Bobby Jindal, the community now is seeking accountability and commitment from these candidates.<\/p>\n When around two dozen Indian Americans from the Silicon Valley held a fundraiser for Kamala Harris about six months ago, they sought her position on issues related to India and Indian Americans.<\/p>\n “We are thrilled to see a record-breaking number of Indian Americans got elected for the first time in the U.S. political history,” said Prasad Thotakura, president of Indian American Friendship Council.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Ro Khanna giving his victory speech after winning Congressional election, in Silicon Valley, Nov. 9. He defeated incumbent Mike Honda. (Press Trust of India) With four Indian-Americans, including two women, elected to the U.S. Congress, euphoric community members said that the unprecedented victory shows they have become part of the mainstream political landscape, writes Lalit…<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a>