Two Pakistani-Americans secure second terms in Texas State House, marking milestone in U.S. politics

DALLAS: Two Pakistani-American Democratic candidates, Salman Bhojani and Suleman Lalani, have made history by winning their second consecutive terms in the Texas State House.

Bhojani, who joined the assembly in 2022, has focused on healthcare, education, and business development, also championing immigrant rights. His re-election is celebrated as a milestone for South Asian American political representation.

Lalani successfully defended his seat, earning 56.1% of the vote, or 32,141 votes, against Republican Lee Simmons, who received 43.9% with 25,197 votes.

In Pennsylvania, however, Republican Aaron Bashir, the sole Pakistani-American congressional candidate, faced a setback in a closely contested race.

Bhojani’s victory underlines the rising participation of South Asian Americans in U.S. politics, marking a pivotal step toward increasing diversity within political leadership.