- Satish Chapagain and incumbent Dr. Harry Bhandari are contesting seats in Maryland, prioritizing education, neighborhood safety, and immigrant community representation.
- Somnath Ghimire and Sarahana Shrestha are running in New York, focusing on housing, language access, climate justice, and public accountability.
- These campaigns signal a significant shift for Nepali-Americans, moving from cultural presence to active involvement in shaping United States policy.
New York. The 2026 election season in the United States is seeing a growing and meaningful presence of candidates of Nepali origin, particularly in Maryland and New York. Their participation reflects a broader story of immigrant communities gradually finding space, voice, and representation in American politics.
For many in the Nepali diaspora, this moment goes beyond individual campaigns. It represents years of community building, civic engagement, and the desire to be part of decision-making processes that shape everyday life—from education and housing to healthcare and opportunity.
Maryland: Satish Chapagain’s Ground-Level Campaign
In Maryland, Satish Chapagain is contesting the Democratic primary for House of Delegates District 7A, with the election scheduled for June 23, 2026. His campaign has been visibly rooted in personal engagement—meeting voters at their doorsteps, attending community gatherings, and reaching people through digital platforms.
Chapagain’s message is centered on everyday concerns: the rising cost of living, quality education, neighborhood safety, and fair economic opportunity. He presents himself as someone shaped by direct community experience rather than distant political ambition.
His background as an interpreter in Baltimore County Public Schools has given him close exposure to the struggles of immigrant families navigating language barriers and complex systems. That experience, he says, continues to guide his approach to public service.
Having previously served on the Maryland Democratic Party Central Committee (2022–2026), Chapagain describes his journey into politics as a continuation of service rather than a new beginning.
Maryland: Dr. Harry Bhandari’s Continued Journey
In District 8, Dr. Harry Bhandari is once again seeking re-election. Since making history in 2018 as the first Nepali-American elected to the Maryland legislature, he has remained a familiar and consistent voice in state politics.
His work has largely focused on education, healthcare access, and issues affecting working-class families. Over the years, he has also become a symbol of possibility for many young Nepali-Americans who see in him a path from community participation to public office.
For Dr. Bhandari, political engagement is deeply personal. He often emphasizes that representation begins with participation—voting, organizing, and showing up in civic life. His message to the community has remained simple: visibility comes through involvement.
New York: Somnath Ghimire’s Push for Inclusion
In Queens, Somnath Ghimire is running for the State Assembly District 30 seat. A long-time community organizer in Woodside, his campaign reflects years spent working closely with immigrant families, local groups, and grassroots initiatives.
Ghimire speaks about politics in practical terms—access to housing, fair treatment for tenants, better education opportunities, and stronger mental health support. He also highlights something often overlooked: language access.
For him, ensuring that minority communities understand and are understood by public institutions is not a small detail but a foundation of fairness. His proposal to include Nepali-language materials in the 2030 census reflects that belief.
At the heart of his campaign is a sense that communities like his deserve not just presence, but proper recognition in policy and planning.
New York: Sarahana Shrestha’s Policy-Focused Leadership
In Assembly District 103, Sarahana Shrestha is running for re-election after first being elected in 2022. Now serving her second term, she continues to work within key legislative committees, including Energy, Transportation, Local Government, and Tourism.
Her tenure has been marked by attention to issues that connect policy with everyday life. She has worked on proposals related to clean energy systems, responsible development of data centers, transparency in artificial intelligence use, and expanding internet access for underserved communities.
She has also supported consumer protection measures and efforts to safeguard access to information in schools and libraries.
For many supporters, her work reflects a newer generation of lawmakers focused on long-term structural issues like climate justice, digital equity, and public accountability.
A Community Finding Its Political Voice
Taken together, these campaigns reflect a broader shift within the Nepali-American community—one that moves from cultural presence toward political participation.
While still a relatively small immigrant group, Nepali-Americans are increasingly stepping into public life, not only as voters but also as candidates and policy contributors.
Beyond party lines and individual races, this growing participation speaks to a shared aspiration: to be seen, to be heard, and to be part of shaping the communities they now call home.
