FRISCO, Texas (Diya TV) — Indian American engineer and U.S. Navy veteran Burt Thakur has made history in Frisco. On June 7, Thakur won a seat on the Frisco City Council, defeating an incumbent in a close race. His victory marks the first time an Indian American has been elected to public office in this fast-growing Texas city.
Thakur’s win carries special significance in a community where Indian Americans make up about 15 percent of the population. The election drew strong interest from voters, with high turnout reported, especially among Indian American residents.
“I 100 percent expected to win,” Thakur told CBS Texas. “Our campaign did so much work. We knocked on thousands of doors. One of the coolest things was that I never sent out an attack ad.”
Born in New Delhi, Thakur moved to the U.S. in the late 1980s. He was raised by his grandparents before attending Valley Forge Military Academy. He later joined the U.S. Navy and served for six years as a nuclear reactor operator.
After his military service, Thakur worked in the energy and infrastructure sector. He helped manage power plants and led critical infrastructure projects across the country.
In 2020, Thakur gained national attention after appearing on Jeopardy! He shared an emotional story about how he learned English by watching the show with his grandfather.
“The one thing that a lot of people got anchored to was that my story was the quintessential American dream,” he said. “As somebody who immigrated here, I learned how to speak English by watching Alex Trebek.”
Thakur credited his grassroots campaign for the win. He and his team focused on listening to voters and building trust. He said the campaign avoided negativity and focused on local issues.
“I think it not just energized the Indian community, but a lot of our community got energized,” he said. “We had some of the highest turnouts in Frisco races in the last couple of years.”
Thakur’s campaign focused on essential services and infrastructure needs. He pointed out several gaps in Frisco’s public services, despite the city’s rapid growth.
“We are a city of almost 250,000 people, and we don’t have an animal shelter,” Thakur said. “We don’t have a VA clinic. We have 8 to 10,000 kids here who have autism and severe learning disabilities, and parents don’t have relief. We also have a large geriatric population that doesn’t have a care facility.”
He also noted everyday issues like poor cell phone coverage in parts of the city. “Driving down the road, I lose my cell phone signal,” he said.
Thakur remains focused on his new role and serving the people of Frisco. When asked about his political future, he kept his answer grounded.
“I don’t think my wife wants me to run for office right now,” he said with a laugh. “Can we have that conversation in like the last year? Because maybe I’ll suck, you know, I don’t know.”
Thakur’s win represents a significant moment for Frisco’s Indian American community and for the city’s diverse population. His story—rooted in service, resilience, and a belief in the American dream—has struck a chord with many.
As he begins his term, Thakur says he wants to ensure Frisco grows in a way that supports all its residents. With deep ties to the military, engineering, and immigrant communities, he brings a broad perspective to the council.
His election adds to the growing list of Indian Americans stepping into public service roles across the country. In Frisco, Thakur’s win is not just a personal milestone—it’s a sign of a changing city and a more engaged electorate.
