Democrat Pooja Sethi Challenges Ken Paxton Over Racist Remarks Against Indian-Americans

Washington, November 3 (Daily Kiran) : Indian-American Democrat Pooja Sethi, who is running for the Texas House of Representatives, has called on Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton to denounce racist comments made by his party colleague, Bo French, targeting Indian-Americans. Sethi accused Paxton of wanting the votes of this community while remaining silent on such remarks.

In a post on X, Sethi expressed her expectations from Paxton, stating, “I hope Ken Paxton will condemn Bo French’s blatant attacks against Indian-Americans. Or does his anger disappear when he needs our votes?”

Sethi, the Democratic candidate for Texas House District 47, referenced a post by X user Vasant Bhatt. Bhatt revealed that Paxton visited the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Irving on October 31. He questioned why Paxton engages with those who openly express anti-Hindu and racist views while seeking support from the Indian-American community.

French stirred controversy on September 13 by sharing a photo of University of Texas students, many of South Asian descent, celebrating a football victory. He commented, “I’ve heard this year’s UT graduation looks something like this. I couldn’t believe it. Clearly, the problem is now far more serious than anyone imagined.” His post garnered over 54 million views.

On the same day, Texas Attorney General Paxton stated on X, “I condemn all forms of racism, including James Talarico’s assertion that ‘white men are the greatest terrorist threat to America’ and his prayer to rid himself of his ‘white identity’,” without naming French. Talarico, a Democrat, is Paxton’s opponent in the Senate race.

Earlier, Talarico challenged Paxton on X, asking, “Paxton, will you condemn this open racism, or will you kneel before extremists?”

Sethi has made this issue a focal point of her campaign in its final stages. She declared on Sunday, “In a time when hate is rising, we have the chance to make history. We will not be afraid. We cannot be silenced. There is no place for hate in Texas.”

If elected, Sethi would become the first South Asian woman to serve in the Texas legislature. She is a lawyer and a former chair of the Travis County Democratic Party.

There has been no immediate response from Paxton’s campaign regarding these posts. Voting in Texas is set to take place on Tuesday.