Michigan elects its first Indian American to the US House of Representatives

Shri Thanadar moves from Michigan's House of Representatives to the US House of Representatives.

The self-described Samosa Caucus is growing by 20% next year with the addition of Shri Thanadar, who won a seat to the US House of Representatives Tuesday.

With 99% of the ballots counted, Thanedar, a Democrat, with 166,203 votes in the US midterm election Tuesday – handily defeated Republican candidate Martell Bivings, who got 56,111 votes.

After it became evident that Thanedar was going to win late Tuesday, he tweeted, "We did it! With early returns showing us receiving 89.2% of the vote, I'm honored to be the next Representative in Congress for the 13th District!"

Thanedar, 67, becomes the fifth Indian American in Congress joining Ami Bera and Ro Khanna of California, Illinois' Raja Krishnamoorthi and Washington's Pramila Jayapal, who call themselves the Samosa Caucus.

"Growing up in abject poverty, I never would have thought I would have this opportunity to serve in the House of Representatives. This truly is an honor of a lifetime," he said in a statement.

Thanedar, who served in the Michigan legislature, said he plans to fight for residents concerned about rising costs, public safety and the erosion of civil rights. "I am committed to fighting for us and (will) take on the special interests that dominate our politics," he said. "I will stand up for working families and everyday Americans to fight for economic prosperity, racial justice, to protect our rights, and put our government to work for our neighborhoods and communities."

“I achieved my American dream with hard work and some luck but that American dream is not accessible to many people, especially many people in the black and brown communities and I want to help people achieve their American dream,” he told WXIYZ.

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