Ghaziabad-born Saba Wins Illinois Assembly; Why She Believes Kitchen-Table Issues Matter More

Saba Haider, a Democrat originally from Uttar Pradesh, has been elected to the Illinois General Assembly after a campaign across the Chicago suburbs. Following her victory, the State Representative-elect said the win shows American voters are prioritising everyday issues over political division. 

"If the candidates are talking about those issues, like everyday kitchen table issues, people are paying attention to that," Haider told news agency PTI. "People are listening to that, resonating with that, and are voting for those candidates that are talking about those issues that affect their families, that affect the lives of their children," she added. 

Focus on Everyday Issues

Haider emphasised that such families are responding to candidates who address immediate concerns such as affordability, healthcare, education, and the environment. She noted that many Indian Americans have shifted their focus toward these core priorities, reflecting a broader trend across communities.

Personal Journey and Campaigning

Haider, who moved from Ghaziabad to the US 20 years ago, recalled celebrating her election night victory surrounded by family, friends, volunteers, and campaign workers, while receiving calls from relatives back in India. She described her campaign as physically and emotionally demanding, which involved knocking on thousands of doors during the primary season from January to March in sub-zero weather. "Sometimes I wouldn't even feel my fingertips and my toes. It would take me more than an hour to just come back to normal temperature," she recalled.

She also pointed out the distinct challenges women face in public life, stating: "You're opening yourself up to scrutiny of all levels. You get judged for every single thing, from the colour of your lipstick to the length of your sleeves and everything else in between."

Rise in South Asian Representation

Haider highlighted the growing political presence of Indian-American and South Asian representatives across the United States. She cited 27-year-old Nabila Syed, who flipped an Illinois Senate seat in a record-setting race, as an example of progress for the community. While calling on Indian-American lawmakers to ensure their communities' concerns are heard, she stressed the importance of building broad coalitions across social and ethnic groups.

Advice for Young South Asian Americans

Encouraging young South Asian Americans to enter public service, Haider advised them to get involved with local campaigns to learn how elections operate. "Find a local campaign around yourself. Be it a city council campaign, a mayoral campaign, a county campaign or a state campaign. Find someone around you that is running for local office and get connected to them," she said, adding that "Building that broad coalition of support will help you achieve anything."

(With PTI Inputs)