Highlights:
- Lisa Kaul wins Democratic primary for New York State Senate District 39
- Will face Republican incumbent Robert Rolison in November election
- Born in Bihar, grew up in India, moved to US in 2004
- Became US citizen in 2008 and entered politics in 2023
- Urges Indian Americans to pursue public office and civic leadership
BIHAR-BORN Lisa Kaul hopes her victory in the Democratic primary for New York State Senate District 39 encourages more Indian Americans to seek elected office.
Kaul, a Dutchess County legislator, defeated Evan Menist and Gay Lee in the June 23 Democratic primary and will face Republican incumbent Robert Rolison in the November 3 general election.
Asked what made the difference in the race, Kaul told India Weekly, “A winning message that spoke to voters’ concerns about the affordability crisis and the future of both the country and the planet; a strong field program; and my record of service and coalition building in Dutchess County.
(Dutchess County is the largest county in the district).”
Kaul grew up in India, where her mother was a teacher and her father was a career army officer. After receiving a Rhodes Scholarship, she earned a PhD at Oxford University before moving to the United States in 2004. She became a US citizen in 2008 and was elected to the Dutchess County Legislature in 2023.
She described her victory as the realization of a long-held ambition. “This feels like the fulfillment of a life-long aspiration for me. I was born in Bihar. I grew up all over India as my father was in army. I always imagined a life of service where I would make a difference. I won a Rhodes Scholarship from India in 1990 which ultimately led me to the US in 2004.”
Kaul said seeing other Asian-American women contest elections made her believe she could do the same.
“When I became a U.S. citizen in 2008, I limited my civic engagement to the school board and to other activist causes. However, in 2022, I saw two Asian-American women run for higher office in the Hudson Valley, one of whom was a Nepalese American. For the first time, I began to imagine the possibility of running for higher electoral office in the Hudson Valley.
(Representation does matter!)” She said climate change ultimately prompted her to enter electoral politics. “This was also post-pandemic when we had all become increasingly aware of how interconnected the world is. The main reason that motivated me to run for office was climate change – a global issue that has had devastating consequences in my home country, India. So, in 2023, I ran to serve on the Dutchess County Legislature with the thought that global problems do have local solutions. (I won in 2023,and ran unopposed in 2025.)”
Kaul hopes her victory sends a message to other Indian Americans considering public office. “I hope that other Indian Americans see my victory as a ‘green light.’ While speaking to a voter at their door in 2023, I heard someone from another room call out and ask, ‘what did she say her name is?’ When I responded in Hindi, the person immediately came out and said, ‘We’ve never had one of us run!’ Another immigrant father said to me, ‘You mean to say my daughter can do what you’re doing?’
So, here’s what I have to say – Please don’t hold yourself back. If you have it in you, please step up for the communities you live in, work in, grow up in … and yes, pay taxes in!”
Kaul said she plans to expand her coalition while encouraging greater civic participation among South Asian and Asian-American communities.
“In the coming months, I will be working on expanding my coalition.” Kaul also said she wants to focus on climate, due process and expanding public services.
“Protect our Air and Water. That means powering New York with clean, affordable energy, and investing in water infrastructure and climate resilience. Defend American values by standing against ICE and protecting due process. Expand opportunity by investing in universal childcare, strong public schools and worker power.
