US Elections 2024: American Pakistani winners and losers

American Pakistanis have played their part in the historic general elections held on November 5th in the United States of America. By becoming part of the democratic process, they have created, however small, their own history.

Republican Donald Trump defeated Democrat Kamala Harris to secure a historic second term at the White House, supported by Arab Americans, Hispanic Americans, and other diverse communities.

So, from the Pakistani community, who won? Let's take a look.

Dr Saud Anwar - Connecticut

Dr Saud Anwar, a staunch Democrat, is elected consecutively for the fourth term. He represents District 3 of the Connecticut State Senate and bagged 27,359 votes (63.7%). His Republican challenger Matt Siracusa got 15,570 votes (36.3%).

In 2022, Dr Saud had won the seat by securing 18,968 votes. At that time, he had beaten Republican challenger Matt Harper who got 12,189 votes. In 2019 special general election, Dr. Saud won the same district (4,737 votes) by beating Sara Muska (3,317).

Dr Saud was born in Karachi and graduated from Agha Khan Medical College. Later, he moved to Yale University to earn his master's degree in Public Health.

During COVID-19, he made headlines around the world by inventing one of the simplest and cheapest ways to make an incubator for seven people.

At that time, thousands of people were dying in the US alone due to the lack of these much-needed life support machines. Little doubt, he could have made millions of dollars in weeks by establishing his own firm. Yet, he revealed his secrets on the internet to benefit the world.

Talking to Geo News, Dr Saud said that if you are in a medical profession or politics, "serving humanity should be your top priority".

Salman Bhojani - Texas

Salman Bhojani has distinguished himself by winning District 92 unopposed. Bhojani won 35,166 votes. In 2022, he defeated Republican Joe Levingston by a margin of 5500 votes.

Bhojani was born in Karachi and lives in Euless, Texas. He had earned his law degree from Southern Methodist University and worked as an attorney before entering into politics.

Bhojani urged the Pakistani American community to get involved in politics and must cast their vote.

Dr Suleman Lalani - Texas

Dr Suleman Lalani successfully reclaimed District 76 of the same state. The Democrat incumbent was challenged by Republican Lea Simmons. Lalani bagged 32,140 votes (56.1%) while Lea could only get 25,197 votes (43.9%).

In 2022, Dr Lalani had beaten Dan Mathews by winning 28,312 votes.

Both Dr Lalani and Attorney Bhojani helped pass resolutions recognising the festival of Diwali and administration of assessment instruments to public school students on religious holy days including Eid.

Ali Sajjad - California

One of the most Influential Democrat Delegate Ali Sajjad Taj is running for the California State Assembly District 67 in the 2026 election.

If he succeeds, Taj will become the first Pakistani-American representative in the California State Assembly.

Sajjad currently serves as mayor pro tem of Artesia in District 67 which he intends to represent in State Assembly.

Previously, Sajjad has also served as president of the League of California Cities, comprising all 482 cities, in 2022-2023. He is among those who have risen from the grassroots level.

Who lost and why?

Now let's look at who lost and why in the states of Pennsylvania, Michigan and New York.

Aaron Bashir - Pennsylvania

However, not a single American-Pakistani made his or her way to Congress. Yet, they have not stopped banging on the door.

Aaron Bashir was reportedly the sole American-Pakistani who contested for US House of Representative on November 5. He was on a Republican ticket from one of the most important swing states that went to Donald Trump.

In Pennsylvania's Second Congressional District, he lost to incumbent Democrat rival Brendan Boyle. In one of my seven US Special programs produced for Geo News, I had mentioned that there were no chances him winning the seat.

Mainly, it was for three simple reasons. First and foremost, District 2 is predominantly Democratic. Secondly, beating the incumbent is very rare as every congressperson tries their best to fulfil campaign promises. It ensures winning the seat and paves the way for going up the political ladder. Last but not least, he had minimal resources.

Despite, all the drawbacks, he bagged 75, 980 votes (28.7 %). The winner, however, got 189, 166 votes (71.3%) as per 97% of the votes counted so far.

Bashir had earlier unsuccessfully contested for House in 2022 and 2020. However, he has shown consistent improvement in gaining the number of votes. Exactly four years ago, he had contested for Pennsylvania House of Representative District 172 only to have 10,420 votes.

Last year, Democrat Dr Asif Mahmood had unsuccessfully contested for Congress in California District 40. He too had lost to incumbent Republican Young Kim.

However, repeated attempts by American Pakistanis are a reflection that they may have entered into this political race late, yet, they no longer want to be on the menu but at the table.

Meriam Sabih - Pennsylvania

Meriam Sabih, a Democrat, also lost her bid. This Lehigh University graduate had at times worked as a journalist as well. She had run for election to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to represent District 131.

Meriam could only secure 15,816 votes (41.7). Her incumbent Republican Milou Mackenzie bagged 22,140 votes (58.3).

Aisha Farooqi - Michigan

Attorney and filmmaker Aisha Farooqi ran for election to the Michigan House of Representatives to represent District 57.

In a relatively close contest, Aisha bagged 20,002 votes (42.8%) while her incumbent Republican rival Thomas Kuhn got 26,749 votes (57.2%).

After gracefully accepting defeat, she confided to Geo News that though she had won Oakland County but it was Macomb County that she failed to secure and eventually lost her bid. 

How unfortunate that it is the same Macomb country that she represents as a member Black Caucus.

Aamir Sultan - New York

Republican Challenger Aamir Sultan unsuccessfully ran for election to the New York State Assembly. He lost District 10 to incumbent Democratic rival Steve Stern.

Sultan got 26,241 votes (44.1%) while his opponent Steve bagged 33,200 votes (55.8%) votes.

Sultan had some chances of turning the relatively Purple district from Red to Blue. Unfortunately, he encountered a venomous campaign that, for some, had to do much more to his faith than political ideals.

A voter of the vicinity blamed Stern, a Jew by faith, for launching a propaganda mill that kept churning hate against Sultan by labelling him as 'Too Extreme' and 'Too Dangerous'.

After conceding defeat, Sultan thanked his voters and supporters. In an exclusive interview with Geo News, he said that "it's only a matter of time before he will emerge stronger and serve people of this district in a much better way".

Hanadi Nadeem - Nevada

The only Pakistani woman who is known to have won the State Assembly seat this time is Hanadi Nadeem. She is a Democrat who now represents Nevada State Assembly District 34.

There was no incumbent in the race. Hence, in a tight race, Hanadi secured 15,617 votes (52.9%) while her Republican rival Brandon Davis bagged 13,904 votes (47.1%).

Lady luck was with Hanadi from the day one as the Democratic Primary election was canceled and she was advanced unopposed.

Hanadi is an entrepreneur and heads a health care business. She is an active community member and has served APPNA Alliance — an advocacy and philanthropic organisation. The organisation provides medical help to women and children both in the US and her home country Pakistan.

The author is Controller News at Geo News. He posts on X at @NasimHaider2 and can be reached at [email protected].