Shuchita Patel runs for Forsyth County commissioner in Georgia mid-term election

Shuchita Patel, an Indian-American Democrat, was contesting a Forsyth County Commissioners seat in Georgia’s November 3 mid-term elections. Patel said the decision came from a wish to face a Republican rival accused of bullying. With two days left, Patel went door to door on Sunday. Patel said the campaign was also about making the community better for children.

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Patel was the first Indian-American to seek office in Forsyth County, which carried a long record of racial violence. In 1912, White residents and Ku Klux Klan groups drove out most Black residents. That history made the campaign notable for many locals. Patel was US-born to Indian immigrant parents. The opponent had won unopposed for 16 years.

US mid-term elections and Forsyth County race

The November 3 mid-term elections were set to decide control of the US Congress. All 435 House of Representatives seats were at stake. Also, 37 seats were being contested in the 100-member Senate. Many states were also choosing governors and local officials. Those local posts included county commissioners and school board leaders. The outcome was expected to shape national policy debates.

Several opinion polls predicted Republicans could lose the House of Representatives. Some surveys also suggested the party might lose the Senate. The reports linked voter anger to broken promises and rising living costs. Concerns included grocery bills, petrol prices, and healthcare expenses. The mood reflected wider frustration with politics. The divide around President Donald Trump remained sharp across the country.

Georgia Republicans and Forsyth County demographics

Despite national headwinds, Georgia was still described as solidly ruby red. The state remained a strong area for the Republican Party. Forsyth County sat about an hour from mid-town Atlanta, the state capital. The county was still mainly White. About 61 per cent of the population of 2.8 lakhs was White, according to the account.

The Indian community in Forsyth County had expanded quickly over two decades. The number was about 200 residents in 2000. It had grown to about 48,000 people. That was about 16 per cent of the county’s total population. Even with that growth, Patel remained a minority candidate. The figures were not presented as an easy path to victory.

Shuchita Patel campaign and Todd Levent allegations

Patel, 40, worked as an accountant and said local governance was practical work. Patel said commissioners dealt with issues like road repairs and sports arena upgrades. Patel argued those priorities stayed similar regardless of party. Patel also said some residents were tired of incumbent commissioner Todd Levent. Patel claimed Levent stayed unchallenged because potential rivals felt intimidated.

Patel said the campaign began despite having no political background. Patel said there was a time when it felt impossible to change things. Patel said someone approached Patel about running for office. Patel described it as achievable and limited to a small area. Patel also said the approach included warnings about the opponent’s conduct. The request was for a candidate with "thick skin\".

To be clear, I strongly believe in supporting our transgender neighbours and constituents. I want to protect our immigrant community. But no one cares about pronouns, no one cares about immigration, no one cares about whether someone is illegal or not if they cant pay for their groceries, said Patel, 40, in an interview in the back of a car as we drove to a poor neighbourhood of largely Latino migrants for canvassing.

We are reaching a boiling point in the country as a whole. There are the elites, the ruling class, the Epstein class … that is truly 1 per cent that is wealthy, and there is the rest of us, she said.

Patel connected the campaign to family concerns and day-to-day pressures. Patel said the aim was to leave a better place for younger residents. Patel said a seven-year-old daughter questioned why the race was so hard. Patel said the answer focused on community improvement. Patel said the hope was for future generations to have a beautiful place to grow up.

With inputs from PTI