Nepali American Candidates to Watch in November State Legislature Elections
Nepali American candidates Harry Bhandari, Sarahana Shrestha, Satish Chapagain and Bishwa Bahadur Shah are campaigning for seats in state legislatures in Maryland, New York and New Hampshire.
Several Nepali American candidates emerged from Democratic primaries in Maryland and New Hampshire, setting up November contests that could add to Nepali American representation in state legislatures.
In Maryland, Del. Harry Bhandari is seeking another term in the House of Delegates, while Baltimore County Democratic Central Committee member and business owner Satish Chapagain is running for his first term. In New Hampshire, Manchester resident Bishwa Bahadur Shah won a Democratic nomination for the state House.
The campaigns come as the Nepali American population grows and more immigrants become U.S. citizens. A larger U.S.-born generation is also beginning to reach voting age, expanding the community’s potential electorate and its participation in civic and political life.
Bhandari’s Bid Tests a Decade of Political Groundwork
Maryland Del. Harry Bhandari, the first Nepali American elected to a state legislature in the United States, advanced from the Democratic primary in House District 8 and is seeking another term. He was first elected in 2018.
Bhandari received 6,374 votes, or 25.52%, in the primary, finishing just behind incumbent Del. Kim Ross, who received 6,432 votes, or 25.75%. Incumbent Del. Nick Allen received 5,970 votes, or 23.90%. Because District 8 elects three delegates, all three advanced as Democratic nominees.
“This district was highly competitive,” Bhandari told NepYork. “Over the past 12 years, I have worked hard to flip it and build strong connections with voters. I am grateful to voters, volunteers, my family and the Nepali American community for their support. However, I will wait for the final count before making any formal declaration.”
Bhandari was born in Parbat district of Nepal and moved to the United States in 2005. Before entering politics, he worked in education in Nepal and later became a teacher in Maryland. He became a U.S. citizen in 2011 and won his first election to the Maryland House of Delegates in 2018.
Bhandari’s legislative role has expanded in recent years. After seven years on the House Health and Government Operations Committee, he was appointed at the end of 2025 to chair the Land Use and Zoning Subcommittee of the House Economic Matters Committee. The Maryland General Assembly lists him as the subcommittee’s chair for the 2026 session.
In that role, Bhandari was involved in the House consideration of the Maryland Transit and Housing Opportunity Act, legislation addressing transit-oriented development. The measure passed the House and Senate and was signed by Gov. Wes Moore on May 26, becoming Chapter 592 of the 2026 laws.
Bhandari’s legislative record also includes work on accessibility, public safety, health care and education. His advocacy on accessibility has included legislation concerning open captioning and other measures affecting access for people with disabilities.
His legislative work has included education and health care, and his committee assignments now place him in a role focused on land use and zoning. He has also chaired the Maryland Legislative Asian-American and Pacific-Islander Caucus.
“This is not just my victory,” Bhandari said. “It represents the strength of the community, the contributions of immigrants and a shared commitment to public service.”
When he first took office, Bhandari used the Vedas while taking his oath, reflecting his Hindu faith and Nepali heritage.
“We are not just guests in this country,” Bhandari said. “We are taxpayers, parents, workers, educators, entrepreneurs and public servants.”
In Maryland, a New Candidate Seeks a Place at the Table
In Maryland’s District 7A, Satish Chapagain won one of the two Democratic nominations for the House of Delegates.
Chapagain received 2,718 votes, or 26.13%, finishing behind Ly Xinzhen Brown, who received 2,945 votes, or 28.31%. District 7A elects two delegates.
Chapagain and Brown are on the November ballot alongside Republican candidates Ryan Nawrocki and Kathy Szeliga.
Chapagain is a member of the Baltimore County Democratic Central Committee and a business owner. His campaign has focused on household affordability, education, economic growth, small businesses and community development.
“Families across Maryland are currently thinking about the basic issues that directly affect their daily lives,” Chapagain said, referring to food, fuel, schooling and the future. “These are the main concerns shaping our community, and they require real attention from those in public service.”
He said his decision to run was rooted in public service and accountability.
“My decision to run for state representative is driven by a deep commitment to service and the belief that public leadership must be based on honesty, responsibility and respect for the people of Maryland,” Chapagain said.
If elected in November, Chapagain would become another Nepali-origin member of the Maryland General Assembly.
In New Hampshire, Another Nepali American Enters the Race
In New Hampshire, Bishwa Bahadur Shah won a Democratic nomination in Hillsborough District 41, a three-member district in the 400-seat state House.
Shah received 23% of the Democratic vote, finishing behind incumbent Lily M. Foss, who received 31%, and Tom Stewart, who received 24%. The three were the top Democratic finishers and advanced to the general election.
The district will elect three representatives in November. The Republican nominees are Ryan Hebert, Joseph Skinner and Jason Hodgdon.
Shah, a Manchester resident, would become another Nepali-origin representative in a state legislature if elected.
Shah’s campaign has focused on affordability, economic fairness, public education, health care, child care and support for older residents.
“I am running because hardworking families deserve fairness and a real chance to thrive,” Shah said.
He has also emphasized making health care and child care more affordable, fully funding public schools and providing tax relief to working families. He said policies affecting older residents should ensure they are treated with dignity and supported in retirement.
A naturalized U.S. citizen, Shah has described his journey from Nepal to the United States as an example of the American dream. He and his wife are raising two children in Manchester; their daughter is studying medicine, while their son is pursuing an engineering degree.
For Shah, the future of younger residents in Manchester is a central concern. He has said he wants to expand career opportunities and make it easier for young adults to afford their first home or apartment after graduation.
“Too many young adults leave our city after graduating,” Shah said. “I want to change that.”
Shrestha’s New York Reelection Bid
In New York, Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha is seeking another term in the state Assembly, continuing a political career that began with her election in 2022.
Shrestha, who was born and raised in Kathmandu and moved to the United States as a student in 2001, became the first New York state legislator of Nepali origin. She represents the 103rd Assembly District, which includes parts of Dutchess and Ulster counties.
Shrestha was unopposed in the June 23 Democratic primary. Republican candidate Santos Lopez is also listed on the November ballot. The general election is scheduled for Nov. 3.
Her legislative agenda has focused on issues including affordable housing, climate policy, health care, public education, worker protections and child care. More recently, she has backed legislation addressing large data-center development and has worked on utility costs and social housing. Her office says she entered politics after years of climate organizing in the Hudson Valley.
A Growing Community Finds Its Political Voice
The Pew Research Center estimates that about 225,000 people in the United States identified as Nepali alone in 2023, up from about 180,000 in 2019. The U.S.-born population within that group grew from about 30,000 to 50,000 over the same period.
Pew also found that 47% of Nepali immigrants were naturalized U.S. citizens in 2023. Among Nepali Americans age 5 and older, 85% reported speaking Nepali at home.
Separate Department of Homeland Security data compiled by NepYork show a sharp increase in the number of Nepalis obtaining U.S. citizenship through naturalization. NepYork reported that the number rose from 20,926 in 2014 to roughly 87,000 by 2024, based on DHS data and estimates for the most recent year.
The demographic shift has implications beyond turnout. A larger eligible electorate gives Nepali Americans greater capacity to organize around language access, immigration services, affordable housing, schools, small-business support, health care, disaster relief and voting access.