New York: Former State Senator Niraj Antani has announced that he will seek the office of Secretary of State of Ohio in the 2026 Republican primary. If elected, he will become the first Hindu and Indian-American down-ticket statewide officeholder in American history.
Antani's move comes as current Secretary of State Frank LaRose is term-limited and cannot run again, along with the other statewide Constitutional officers of Ohio.
Having represented the greater Dayton area in the Ohio General Assembly for over a decade, Antani became the first Indian-American State Senator in Ohio history. In his campaign statement, he highlighted the importance of voting rights and free and fair elections.
"Living under British rule in India less than 80 years ago, my family didn’t have their freedom. They didn’t have the right to vote. As someone born in America, I uniquely understand we must cherish that we were born free people, born with the right to vote. This is a sacred institution; our vote must be protected, safeguarded, secured. As Ohio’s next Secretary of State, I will do just that."
"...my family came to America and became American citizens to pursue the American Dream. I’ve fought to give that same opportunity to achieve the American Dream to every Ohioan. That dream begins with fair and free elections. As Ohio’s next Secretary of State, I will always defend that dream and our elections," he added.
Late last year, Antani enacted a law to give every Hindu student in Ohio a day off school for Diwali and 2 other Hindu holidays. Also, he passed the bill to designate October as Hindu Heritage Month. In the coming months, he intends to travel to all 88 counties of Ohio to earn the support of the voters and to win his campaign.
