The Nepali American population is growing rapidly in the United States, and with it, the number of first-generation Nepali Americans involved in mainstream politics.
According to the Census Bureau, the Nepali-alone population surged by an astounding 295.5% over the past decade, increasing from 51,907 in 2010 to 205,297 in 2020. When considering those who identify as Nepali alone or in combination with another ethnicity, the population grew by 269.0%, from 59,490 in 2010 to 219,503 in 2020.
These individuals have made significant strides by participating in local, state, and national elections. However, the census figures may be undercounted compared to data from the Department of Homeland Security and other government sources.
Harry Bhandari, who immigrated to the United States in 2005, became a naturalized citizen in 2011. After a 13-year career as a teacher in Nepal, he entered American politics while continuing his teaching profession. In 2018, Bhandari made history by becoming the first Nepali American elected to the Maryland House of Delegates from the 8th District. He was re-elected in 2022.
Bhandari’s political journey began in 2008 as a volunteer for Barack Obama’s presidential campaign. He subsequently served as the secretary of the Young Democrats of America’s Minority Caucus and on the Board of Directors for the District 6 Democratic and Civic Association Club. In 2014, Bhandari unsuccessfully ran for the Maryland House of Delegates. However, he achieved success in 2018, running on a slate with Carl W. Jackson and incumbent state delegate Eric Bromwell, and defeating incumbent Republican state delegate Joe Cluster in the general election.
Bhandari was sworn in on January 9, 2019, on copies of the Bhagavad Gita and Vedas. He has served as a member of the Health and Government Operations Committee throughout his tenure and has chaired the Maryland Legislative Asian-American and Pacific Islander Caucus since 2023.
During the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries, Bhandari ran as a delegate for Joe Biden at the 2020 Democratic National Convention. He also applied to run as a delegate to the 2024 Democratic National Convention, pledged to Biden, but was denied by the Maryland Democratic Party.
Bhandari is not the only Nepali American to make history in American politics. Sarahana Shrestha, who moved to the United States in 2001, became a naturalized citizen in 2019. In 2022, she was elected to the New York State Assembly from the 103rd District, becoming the first Nepali American woman representative elected at this level in the United States. Shrestha, a first-generation Nepali American democratic socialist politician and activist, represents New York’s 103rd State Assembly District. She was first elected in November 2022, defeating a 23-year incumbent, Kevin A. Cahill.
Shrestha is affiliated with Public Power NY, a coalition of clean energy advocacy organizations. She has also worked as a graphic designer and is the co-chair of the Democratic Socialists of America’s Ulster County chapter. Shrestha focused her campaign on climate and renewable energy policy. She was endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America, the Working Families Party, and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Shrestha assumed office on January 1, 2023.
The participation of Nepali Americans in American politics extends beyond these individuals. Kiran (Ron) Sitaula, Deputy Mayor of Indian Head, Maryland, was elected as Deputy Mayor in 2015 and re-elected for a third term last year. As Vice Mayor, Kiran (Ron) Sitaula is the first Nepali to be elected to a public position outside of Nepal and the first non-U.S.-born official in the history of the Town of Indian Head.
Pradeep Dhakal was elected to the Herndon City Council in Virginia in November 2018 and re-elected on November 8, 2022. Dhakal is serving his third term on the Herndon Town Council. He serves as chair of the Herndon Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and has served as the town’s representative on the Fairfax County Economic Advisory Commission. Dhakal is an IT professional who manages projects for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as a federal contractor. He holds a master’s degree in strategic leadership and lives with his wife Sushma, their three children, and his mother in Herndon.
Tika Poudel was elected as a member of the Euless City Council in Texas in June 2021. In Reynoldsburg, Ohio, in November 2019, Nepali-speaking Bhuvan Pyakurel was elected as a member of the municipal council of Ward 3 from the Democratic Party, recognized as the first Bhutanese elected to public office in the United States.
Ramchandra Shrestha from the Democratic Party and Chiran Neupane from the Republican Party won elections in the Branford RTM in Connecticut. These are just a few examples of the growing number of first-generation Nepali Americans involved in American politics.
In addition to these elected officials, Nepali American Darshan Rauniyar also ventured into American politics. Rauniyar ran in the 2012 election for the U.S. House to represent Washington’s 1st District but was defeated in the primary. He also ran in a special election to fill retiring representative Jay Inslee’s seat for a one-month term before the 2012-2014 term began but was again unsuccessful.
Harry Bhandari also ran in the 2024 U.S. House of Representatives election in Maryland’s 2nd Congressional District, placing second to Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski in the Democratic primary. He officially announced his campaign on January 29, 2024, but was defeated in the primary with 8.5 percent of the vote.
Similarly, Adrian Pokharel ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Virginia’s 10th Congressional District in 2024 but lost in the Democratic primary. Many others have attempted to run for office at various levels.
These examples reflect the growing involvement of Nepali Americans in U.S. politics. As Delegate Bhandari explains, “I entered politics to advocate for my community and ensure the immigrant experience is part of the American narrative. I believe diversity fortifies democracy, and my journey provides opportunities for those willing to work in this country.”
Delegate Harry Bhandari explained his journey and his reason for being involved in U.S. politics. As a first-generation immigrant, he shared what inspired him to enter the world of U.S. politics. He believes in the potential of second-generation immigrants and others. He said, “My goal is to inspire them to realize they have the power to enact change. They can shape the future through local engagement, volunteering, or voting. Representation matters, and seeing someone from their background in a position of influence can spark their belief in their leadership abilities. They must understand the impact of their voices in shaping the future of our democracy.”
Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha shared insights into her motivation for entering U.S. politics. Shrestha, a first-generation immigrant, emphasized the pervasive nature of politics in everyday life. “Since everything about our lives is political, I’ve always been involved in politics in one form or another,” she stated.
Shrestha highlighted a pivotal moment that propelled her into the legislative arena: “What got me to run for an office in the New York State legislature specifically was a climate bill called the Build Public Renewables Act. I was organizing to pass it at the State level with the Mid-Hudson Valley DSA and Public Power NY coalition, through which I understood how the legislature works and what the obstacles are. I ran to pass the bill, which we did last year.”
The Build Public Renewables Act authorizes New York State to build its own publicly-owned renewable energy infrastructure. This initiative aims to meet climate goals, fund automatic bill discounts, and treat energy as a public good rather than a for-profit commodity.
Looking ahead, Shrestha envisions inspiring second-generation immigrants and others to engage in the political process. She advised, “Volunteer in any community group that works on empowering ordinary people, whether that’s the working class as a whole or immigrants, seniors, and so on.”
Dilli Bhattarai, a candidate for Hercules City Council, shares a similar sentiment, highlighting the importance of civic engagement. He emphasized his personal journey and the importance of civic engagement, particularly for second-generation immigrants.
“As a first-generation immigrant, my journey into U.S. politics was inspired by a deep sense of responsibility to contribute to the community that welcomed me and provided numerous opportunities. Witnessing the transformative power of civic engagement firsthand, I felt a calling to use my expertise in finance and leadership to address local challenges and help shape policies that promote inclusion, fairness, and economic development,” said Bhattarai. “The United States, being a beacon of democracy, provided a platform where I could not only voice my concerns but also work toward solutions that benefit the broader community.”
Bhattarai emphasized the need to inspire and empower younger generations to participate in the political process. “To inspire second-generation immigrants and others to engage in the political process, I believe it’s essential to demonstrate the value of public service by leading with integrity, transparency, and empathy. By sharing stories of how involvement in local government and community organizations can make a tangible difference, we can motivate others to see that their voices and actions matter. Moreover, fostering a culture that celebrates diversity and provides mentorship opportunities can empower younger generations to take an active role in shaping the future of our cities and country,” he said.
Second-generation Nepali Americans are drawing inspiration from and admiring the efforts of first-generation Nepali immigrants who are involved in mainstream U.S. politics. Second-generation Nepali American Lokesh Tiwari, based in Silver Spring, Maryland, admires these efforts but advises caution.
“I really admire the efforts of first-generation Nepali immigrants to get involved in mainstream U.S. politics. It demonstrates a strong willingness to learn, adapt, and thrive in new environments. This kind of participation not only promotes inclusion but also paves the way for immigrants from other backgrounds to feel more confident about stepping into U.S. politics,” said Tiwari.
However, he offers a few suggestions as well.
“It’s important for immigrants to fully understand the complexities of U.S. politics before jumping in. While some may argue that politics is universal, there are significant differences that need to be grasped in order to make a meaningful impact,” suggests Tiwari.
He believes overcoming the language barrier is crucial, and it goes beyond just learning English. “There’s a ‘language of persuasion’ that involves understanding how to communicate in a way that resonates with the public—knowing what issues matter to them, what they expect from their leaders, and the challenges they face. Mastering this communication is key to making a real difference,” said Tiwari.
He encourages expanding beyond the Nepali community. “While it’s a great starting point, it’s essential to engage with diverse groups and demographics to build a broader following and make a lasting impact,” he said.
Second-generation Nepali American Vishal Ghimire, based in Chicago, Illinois, believes there are still significant barriers preventing more robust involvement from first-generation immigrants, citing cultural differences, economic challenges, and limited political networks.
“I do not believe that there is a significant effort by first-generation Nepali immigrants to get involved in mainstream U.S. politics for several reasons, including but not limited to cultural barriers, the need for economic stability, and limited political networks,” said Ghimire.
“The main goal of first-generation Nepali immigrants is to settle down, become accustomed to the culture of the U.S., and create stability for their families to succeed. Politics does not allow for a quick and easy way for Nepali people to achieve this, resulting in low effort to enter U.S. politics,” said Ghimire.
Nonetheless, he encourages future politicians to lean on their community and persevere, offering hope that future generations will be more involved in shaping the political landscape of the U.S.
He suggests, “The biggest suggestion I have for first-generation Nepali immigrants engaging in U.S. politics is to lean on their community and never give up. These future Nepali politicians will become influential community members and serve as role models for future Nepali people who are interested in entering mainstream U.S. politics but are afraid to or do not know where to start.”
This article is part of U.S. Democracy Day, a nationwide collaborative on Sept. 15, the International Day of Democracy, in which news organizations cover how democracy works and the threats it faces. To learn more, visit usdemocracyday.org.
Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
