Several South Asian candidates secured victories and runoff spots in Georgia’s primary elections Tuesday reflecting the growing political power of Indian and South Asian American communities in a state with more than 600,000 Asian American residents.
Jyot Singh scored victory in State House District 97 and is on track to become the first Sikh elected official in Georgia history.
Singh marked his victory with a brief social media post that read, “We Won.”
Rahul Garabadu, the son of Indian immigrants advanced to a runoff in a highly competitive state senate race in district 7. Thanking supporters Garabadu said the campaign would continue focusing on key issues facing the state ahead of the June 16 runoff election.
“It’s official: we are heading on to the Runoff Primary Election on June 16th,” Garabadu wrote. “Your time will have a bigger impact than ever before.”
Nabilah Islam Parkes, daughter of parents from Bangladesh advanced to a runoff in the race for lieutenant governor and is poised to become the first South Asian and Asian American lieutenant governor nominee from any party in Georgia history.
Read: Indian American senior Jaisnav Rajesh wins Spirit of Princeton Award (May 18, 2026)
Saira Draper, daughter of parents of Pakistani and Spanish origin won a competitive primary election for State Senate District 44.
Akbar Ali secured the Democratic nomination for House District 106 where he serves as the youngest state legislator in Georgia.
“Last night’s results in Georgia speak to the growing political power and representation of our communities. We are thrilled to see so many South Asian leaders stepping into the halls of power and ensuring our communities have a voice at every level of government,” stated Chintan Patel, Executive Director of Indian American Impact.
“Each of these leaders will fight every day to lower costs for working families, protect fundamental freedoms, and fiercely defend immigrant communities against MAGA extremism,” he wrote. “Indian American Impact is proud to stand alongside them as we continue building a more inclusive and representative democracy in Georgia and across the country.”