Indian American congressional candidate Sen. Niraj Antani raises more than $600,000

Antani, a Republican state senator from Ohio, is running for the state’s open second district.

Ohio’s Indian American state Sen. Niraj Antani said Wednesday that he has raised $612,348 in 38 days for his Congressional campaign. The fundraising efforts covered the 4th quarter, commencing from his campaign announcement on November 14th and concluding on December 31. Notably, this substantial amount was generated without relying on general election funds or self-funding.

Expressing his gratitude to his supporters, Sen. Antani, who represents the state’s sixth senate district, stated, “I am deeply grateful to my supporters. I have fought for the American Dream every day in the Ohio legislature, and I’ll do the same in Congress.”

Indian American Niraj Antani sworn in as Ohio State Senator (January 4, 2021)

The announcement comes following the retirement of Congressman Brad Wenstrup from Ohio’s 2nd Congressional District on November 8, 2023. Ohio’s 2nd Congressional District, spanning 16 counties across approximately 150 miles in southern Ohio, exhibits a significantly Republican-leaning partisan voter index. The Republican primary in Ohio is scheduled for March 19, 2024.

“This sum vaults Senator Antani into the top tier of this race,” said Antani’s campaign manager Nathan VanVlymen. “We feel very confident we will outraise and outwork all of our opponents.”

I am incredibly excited to announce that I raised $612,348 in 48 days for my campaign for Congress! This total includes my 4th quarter campaign finance filing from November 14th through December 31. This total includes no general election dollars nor self-funding. pic.twitter.com/Zcp2csbKQv

— Niraj Antani (@NirajAntani) January 3, 2024

On November 13, Antani told the local outlet News Center 7 that he would be serving out his full term which ends December 31, 2024. “Today, I am announcing that I am not seeking reelection for the state Senate.”

Indian American Niraj Antani wins Republican primary for Ohio’s sixth senate district (April 28, 2020)

Antani, born and raised in southern Ohio, was the first Member of the Ohio General Assembly to endorse President Trump for the 2024 election. If elected, he would become the 1st Republican Hindu member of Congress.

Antani is currently serving his first term in the Ohio Senate, having previously served three terms as State Representative in the Ohio House of Representatives.