COLUMBUS, OH (TIP): Ohio’s first Hindu and Indian American State Senator Niraj Antani (R-6) Tuesday, November 14, announced a campaign for Congress in Ohio’s 2nd Congressional District “to be a warrior for our community’s values.”
The youngest Hindu and Indian American state or federal elected official in the United States would be contesting the Republican primary on March 19, 2024, for the seat currently held by Congressman Brad Wenstrup. Wenstrup announced Thursday that he will not seek re-election and will retire from Congress.
Antani thanked Wenstrup “for his many years of dedicated service to our nation, both in Congress and as an American hero serving as a combat surgeon in the Army.” Antani would become the youngest Hindu and Indian American Member of Congress in the nation’s history and the first Republican Hindu Member of Congress in the country’s history, according to a statement from his campaign.
“As the 1st Hindu and Indian American State Senator in Ohio history, I’ve worked hard every day to ensure every Ohioan has an opportunity to achieve their American Dream,” he stated. “Now, I am running for Congress to be a warrior for our community’s values and fight against those who seek to wreak havoc on us.”
Antani also vowed to “stand steel-spined for the policies that benefit our community and strongly oppose those who kowtow to those against us.”
Ohio’s 2nd Congressional District spans 16 counties across about 150 miles in southern Ohio. The district’s partisan voter index leans significantly Republican.
Born and raised in southern Ohio, Antani is serving his first term in the Ohio Senate, having previously served three terms as State Representative in the Ohio House of Representatives.
He has received numerous awards from organizations for veterans, community college, small businesses, and more. Antani is a graduate of Ohio State University.