US midterms 2026: Pooja Sethi’s journey from law and business to Texas politics

Pooja Sethi, a Democratic Party candidate, is running for the Texas House of Representatives from District 47 in the November 3, 2026, general election. She advanced from the Democratic primary held on March 3, 2026, and brings experience in law, small business ownership and Democratic Party leadership to the race.Sethi has worked as an attorney and small business owner. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from George Washington University and a Juris Doctor degree from Syracuse University. Her political experience includes serving as chief of staff to Texas state Representative Vikki Goodwin and chairing the Travis County Democratic Party.Texas's political landscapeSethi's candidacy comes amid increasingly heated debates in Texas over immigration, demographic change and national identity. The state has one of the largest immigrant populations in the United States, with established communities from Mexico, India, Vietnam, China and other parts of the world. Despite this diversity, Texas has remained firmly Republican at the state level, creating a political environment in which immigration and demographic change are frequently discussed through a conservative lens.Texas is also a major centre for the US technology and energy industries. Cities such as Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio have attracted skilled workers from across the world. Indian professionals have become increasingly visible in the state's technology, healthcare and business sectors, while Indian students and families have established communities around major cities and universities.Indian-American community and immigration debateThe growing visibility of Indian Americans in Texas has also placed the community within wider debates over immigration and the H-1B visa programme. Critics argue that companies rely too heavily on foreign workers, while supporters maintain that skilled immigrants play an important role in the US technology economy.Against this backdrop, Sethi is seeking election to represent District 47 in the Texas House. Her professional background in law and small business, along with her experience in Democratic Party leadership, forms part of her profile as she enters the November general election.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.