Washington (TDI): Pakistani-American candidates have secured a series of victories in state legislative elections across the United States, winning seats in Pennsylvania, Nevada, Connecticut, Texas and Georgia and adding to the community’s representation in American politics.
Democratic candidates of Pakistani origin recorded victories in several state legislative contests, while a number of incumbent lawmakers retained their seats. Among the notable winners were Meriam Sabih in Pennsylvania and Hanadi Nadeem in Nevada.
However, not all candidates were successful. In Florida, Republican candidate Imtiaz Mohammad lost his bid for a seat in the State House.
In Pennsylvania, Democrat Meriam Sabih defeated Republican incumbent Milou Mackenzie in the State House District 131 race. Preliminary results showed Sabih securing 16,374 votes, or 51.1 percent, compared with Mackenzie’s 15,650 votes, or 48.9 percent. The race was called with 97 percent of expected votes counted.
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In Nevada, Democratic incumbent Hanadi Nadeem won re-election in Assembly District 34 with 12,977 votes, representing 62.6 percent of the total. Her Republican challenger, Brandon Davis, received 7,753 votes, or 37.4 percent.
Nadeem, who was born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and raised in Islamabad, represents a district that includes part of Las Vegas.
Connecticut also recorded victories for two Pakistani-origin Democratic lawmakers. Maryam Khan won the State Senate District 2 contest with 12,855 votes, or 78.9 percent, defeating Republican candidate Tim Knotts, who received 3,448 votes.
In District 3, incumbent Democrat Saud Anwar retained his seat with 20,543 votes, or 66.5 percent. His Republican challenger, Eliott Hughes, secured 10,350 votes.
In Texas, Democratic state representatives Suleman Lalani and Salman Bhojani secured re-election in House Districts 76 and 92, respectively.
Lalani received 44,221 votes, or 66.2 percent, defeating Republican challenger Linda Howell, who secured 22,602 votes.
Bhojani won his contest with 30,501 votes, representing 66.9 percent of the total, while Republican candidate JP Woodruff received 15,064 votes.
Both victories allowed the Pakistani-origin lawmakers to retain their positions in the Texas legislature.
In Georgia, Democrat Farooq Mughal won State House District 105, defeating Republican incumbent Sandy Donatucci.
Mughal secured 15,248 votes, or 60.8 percent, compared with Donatucci’s 9,851 votes, or 39.2 percent. All 10 precincts in the district had reported their results.
Meanwhile, in Florida, Republican candidate Imtiaz Mohammad lost the State House District 103 race to Democratic incumbent Robin Bartleman.
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Bartleman received 47,287 votes, or 69.3 percent, while Mohammad secured 20,917 votes, or 30.7 percent.
In another Pennsylvania contest, incumbent Democrat Tarik Khan was also declared the winner in State House District 194.
The results highlight the participation and electoral performance of Pakistani-origin candidates across several state legislatures. The figures were based on preliminary election returns and remained subject to formal certification by the relevant state authorities.
