Staggering Defeats For Indian Americans Vying For Raja’s Congressional Seat

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India-West News Desk

CHICAGO, IL – Indian Americans hoping to succeed Raja Krishnamoorthi in Illinois’ 8th Congressional District suffered heavy losses in the Democratic primary.

Candidates Neil Khot, Sanjyot P. Dunung, and Ryan Vetticad were all soundly defeated on March 17.

Melissa Bean claimed a decisive victory, beating Khot by nearly 25 points and securing the nomination. According to the Associated Press, Khot finished with just 6.7 percent of the vote, trailing behind Junaid Ahmed, while Dunung received 2.5 percent and Vetticad only 1.1 percent.

The 8th District, covering western Chicago suburbs including Schaumburg, Elgin, and Des Plaines, is considered a safely Democratic seat, making the primary effectively decisive for who will represent the district in Congress.

Acknowledging her win, Bean said, “The voters have spoken, and tonight, we begin the work necessary to take our democracy back into our own hands.”

Khot had entered the race emphasizing a “practical, business-savvy mindset” and a goal to “aggressively attract a new generation of world-class companies” to the district. He also highlighted the importance of Indian American representation, stating, “We are a minority community; one percent of the country paying six percent of the taxes. I think we need representation in the Samosa Caucus, and we want to make sure that we continue to grow that.”

Dunung ran on a platform focused on affordability, safety, and expanding opportunities for families across the 8th District, earning endorsements from ASPIRE, the Asian Congressional Caucus, and Vote Common Good.