US Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal wins sixth term in Seattle district
The Democrat defeated Republican Nirav Sheth despite recent criticism from India's ambassador regarding her comments on electoral rolls.
Pramila Jayapal has been re-elected to a sixth term in the US House of Representatives for Washington state’s 7th Congressional District, according to ThePrint. The Chennai-born Democrat won the seat against Republican Nirav Sheth in the Seattle-area district.
The election follows a period of tension after Jayapal raised concerns regarding India’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. She had previously suggested that the removal of 130 million names from draft rolls could impact voting rights, a stance that drew a rebuke from India’s Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra.
Ambassador Kwatra described Jayapal's remarks as "unacceptable interference" in the internal affairs of India and had invited her to discuss misconceptions.
During the campaign, Sheth, a former US Marine, described the contest as a "David versus Goliath" fight. While he did not call Jayapal anti-India, he labelled her "anti-American."
Jayapal, who has served as chair and chair emerita of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, sits on the House Judiciary, Budget and Foreign Affairs committees. She is known for her advocacy on immigrant rights, healthcare access, and climate policy.
Following her victory, Jayapal expressed her gratitude to the organisers, volunteers, and voters who supported her campaign via Instagram.