Indian Express, Press Trust of India : Washington, A record number of Indian- Americans - at least 11 - are in the fray for the November 2012 polls vying for a place in the House of Representatives, reflecting the effort of this ethnic community to politically empower itself in the US. The inspiration for the Indian-American candidates appears to be the phenomenal success of two rising stars of the Republican party, Nikki Haley (Governor of South Carolina) and Bobby Jindal (Governor of Louisiana). However, the majority of the Indian-American candidates are running for the Congress on a Democratic Party ticket. Indian-Americans have been traditional supporters of the Democratic party, an indication of which comes from a recent survey according which suggests that 85 per cent of the Indian Americans favour the re-election of President Barack Obama. The Indian-American candidates seeking election for the US House of Representatives on a Democratic Party ticket are Upendra Chivukula from New Jersey, Raja Krishnamoorthi from Illinois, K P George from Texas, Ami Bera from California, Manan Trivedi from Pennsylvania, Syed Taj from Michigan and Vipin Verma from Florida. Congressman Hansen Clare, who is half Indian, is seeking re-election from Michigan, while another candidate Tulsi Gabbard is also from the Democratic Party. Ranjit “Ricky” Gill from California and Ron Bhalla from Tenesse are the two Indian-American candidates in the fray from the Republican Party. During the 2010 Congressional elections eight Indian-Americans participated, of which only Clarke tasted victory. Among the candidates who may alter the balance of power in the next Congress are Republican Ricky Gill and Democrats Ami Bera and Manan Trivedi. Gill, who is just 25, is a political star in the making. The Washington Post called him, “the kind of Republican that might have a shot in this Democratic-leaning district.” Ami Bera has been a physician in the Sacramento area for over 15 years. After analysing the redrawn 7th California district, Politico said, “This race goes to the top of the watch list.” Iraq War veteran and primary care doctor Manan Trivedi is taking another shot at winning Pennsylvania’s 6th district this year. In 2010, Trivedi lost by 14 points to incumbent Jim Gerlach. Image Link Wikimedia, Source: Indian Express
