Indian-American Pramila Jayapal has swept an open Congressional primary in Washington State. She could make history as the first woman from the community to be elected to the US House of Representatives, if she wins the November general election.
Born in India and raised in Indonesia and Singapore, 50-year-old Jayapal would be facing either of the two candidates she defeated in the open primary by more than 16 per cent. Jayapal was endorsed by former Democratic presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders.
Besides Pramila there are three other serious Indian-American contenders for seat in US House of Representatives. Ami Bera is seeking his third term from California. He is the only Indian American in the current Congress.
Two others running for a House seat are Raja Krishnamoorthi from a suburb of Chicago and Ro Khanna from Silicon Valley. All four are considered to have a bright chance of winning the November general elections.