FREMONT, Calif. (Diya TV) — Indian American congressional candidate Rakhi Israni says her campaign achieved a lasting goal despite falling short in California’s Democratic primary. She believes her campaign inspired more Indian Americans to take part in the political process and helped build stronger civic engagement across California’s 14th Congressional District.
In a video message released after the election, Israni thanked supporters and reflected on her four-and-a-half-month campaign. Although she will not move on to the general election, she said the campaign created meaningful change by encouraging thousands of first-time voters and community members to become politically active.
Israni said the campaign nearly doubled political participation among Indian Americans in the district. She called that increase a significant achievement that will continue to benefit the community in future elections. She also said the connections formed during the campaign will remain strong and help shape the district for years to come.
The Democratic candidate said the campaign started without an established political organization or a large network of supporters. However, she said volunteers, donors, and residents helped build a grassroots movement in just a few months.
“When we started this campaign, we had no political organization, no established following,” Israni said. “Yet in just a few months, together, we created something extraordinary. We brought thousands of new people into the political process, voters who had never before felt that their voices mattered.”
Throughout her message, Israni focused on civic participation rather than the election outcome. She said every conversation with voters helped her better understand the needs and concerns of people across California’s 14th Congressional District. As a result, she said the campaign strengthened relationships within the community while encouraging greater public involvement.
Moreover, Israni thanked the many people who supported her campaign from the beginning. She expressed appreciation for donors, volunteers, elected officials, endorsing organizations, and voters. She said their trust and dedication made the campaign possible, even though it did not end with a victory.
The congressional candidate also highlighted the guiding principle behind her campaign. She said her campaign centered on the idea of “Dharma,” which she described as a commitment to serving a purpose greater than personal success. According to Israni, that belief shaped every decision during the race and will continue to influence her public service in the future.
“This campaign was built on Dharma, the belief that each of us has a duty to serve something larger than ourselves,” Israni said. “It’s not about titles or winning or losing. It’s always about service.”
She added that the campaign’s influence would continue beyond Election Day. She said the relationships formed during the race would remain strong. In addition, she said the people who found their political voice during the campaign would stay involved in civic life. Because of that, she believes the community will continue to play a larger role in shaping the district’s future.
Israni also said the campaign helped empower residents who previously felt disconnected from politics. She argued that bringing new participants into the democratic process was one of the campaign’s greatest accomplishments. Furthermore, she said greater political participation can strengthen representation and encourage more community engagement over time.
Although Israni did not secure enough support to advance in the Democratic primary, she emphasized that the campaign reached goals beyond winning office. Instead, she pointed to increased voter participation, stronger community connections,s and broader civic involvement as lasting results.
Her message ended with thanks to everyone who stood beside her throughout the campaign. She said their belief in the campaign’s mission inspired her and reinforced her commitment to public service. She also said the values that motivated her candidacy would remain part of her future work, regardless of the election outcome.
