A Democratic candidate running for the Texas House is facing online backlash after a conservative activist mocked his accent in a social media post that critics described as xenophobic and anti-immigrant.
Sandeep Srivastava, an Indian-born naturalized U.S. citizen and real estate professional, is running against Republican state Rep. Matt Shaheen in Texas House District 66, which covers parts of Collin County, including Plano, Frisco and McKinney. Srivastava secured the Democratic nomination unopposed in March and is set to appear on the November ballot.
The controversy began after a Texas veteran Kyle Seraphine took to x on May 27 post, viewed over 114,000 times, criticizing Srivastava’s English delivery and speaking style. The post circulated widely online and triggered a wave of hostile comments, some of which called for Srivastava’s deportation despite his status as a U.S. citizen.
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Srivastava’s campaign condemned the remarks, calling them part of a broader pattern of hostility toward immigrants and South Asian Americans involved in public life.
Srivastava goes on to calling out Rep. Matt Shaheen to stand against and “condemn the rise of hateful, rhetoric division against Asians in the county regardless of their, race, religion and ethnicity” in his social media post.
Texas law allows naturalized citizens to run for state office if they meet residency and voter eligibility requirements. Srivastava’s candidacy is legally valid under state election rules.
The dispute has drawn attention beyond the district because it comes amid growing political debates over immigration, H-1B visas and demographic changes in North Texas suburbs. Collin County has experienced rapid population growth over the last decade, including a significant increase in Asian American residents, particularly Indian Americans working in technology, healthcare and business sectors.
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Most of the comments in the following post agree with Seraphine’s criticism and are calling Texas “messed up” for allowing foreigners in the government.
District 66 has historically favoured Republicans, but Democrats have increasingly targeted suburban Texas districts in recent election cycles as demographic shifts reshape voter bases. Shaheen, a longtime Republican lawmaker, has represented the district since 2015.
Indian American advocacy organizations have also highlighted the increasing visibility of South Asian candidates across Texas. Groups including Indian American Impact have pointed to the state’s expanding South Asian population as a growing political force in local and state elections.
While the controversy largely unfolded online, it has intensified attention on a race already being affected by issues of immigration, representation and political change in one of Texas’ fastest-growing suburban regions.