New York: Indian American Bhavini Patel faced defeat in the Democratic primary Congressional race from Pennsylvania on Tuesday night, with incumbent Congresswoman Summer Lee emerging as the victor in the 12th Congressional District. Lee secured 59 per cent of the votes, surpassing Patel’s 41 per cent.
US President Joe Biden and his Republican counterpart Donald Trump both clinched their respective presidential primaries, with Biden garnering 94 per cent of the Democratic votes and Trump receiving per cent from the Republicans. Surprisingly, Indian American Nikki Haley, who withdrew from the race in March, captured nearly 20 per cent of the Republican votes in the Pennsylvania presidential primary.
Patel, a strong supporter of Biden, was unable to secure victory against Lee, who has been vocal in her criticism of the president and has shown support for Palestine in its conflict with Israel. Following the election results, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette remarked that Patel’s loss highlighted Lee’s ability to win over districts like Pittsburgh with her progressive stance, despite claims from Patel and her followers that Lee’s views did not align with the area’s political sentiments.
Hailing from Gujarat, India, Patel’s mother immigrated to the US with limited resources, a narrative that resonates with many in the Indian diaspora. Patel, reflecting on her upbringing, highlighted her mother’s struggles as a single parent, moving across various cities and working in different industries to support her family. Patel’s journey symbolizes the resilience and determination of immigrant families striving for a better life in America.
