Pooja Sethi, an Indian-origin Texas State Assembly candidate, sparked a fierce online debate after responding to a post by TPUSA commentator and reporter Savannah Hernandez, who appeared to mock her candidacy.Hernandez took to X to share a photo of Sethi’s campaign sign, writing: “Welcome to Texas politics,” adding that the Democratic nominee is campaigning for “gun reform,” abortion rights, and previously worked as an immigration attorney for Catholic Charities.Sethi responded sharply, rejecting what she described as an attack on her identity. In a strongly worded response, she said that her heritage was not an insult, but rather her story.
A business rooted in “hard work, belief in this country and service to our community.” “My legacy is not an insult. It is my story. Like millions of Americans, it is rooted in hard work, belief in this country, and service to our community. If this offends you, that says more about you than it does about me,” Sethi wrote. The exchange quickly attracted widespread attention. While many users praised Sethi’s response, others echoed Hernandez’s criticism, with some comments veering into anti-US Indian rhetoric. One user wrote: “Please don’t do puja in Texas!”
Pooja Sethi, candidate for the Texas State Assembly in the 47th District.
She served as chief of staff to Texas State Representative Vicki Goodwin and is chair of the Travis County Democratic Party. Before entering politics, she worked as an immigration lawyer for Catholic Charities. A mother and wife, she resides in House District 47 and campaigns for fully funded public education, timely health care, addressing the climate crisis and neighborhood safety. Hernandez’s post reflects rising rhetoric in American society where members of Indian origin are being trolled online and criticized for “replacing” American workers and “taking over” the country. This comes alongside increased scrutiny of the H-1B visa program and the rise of Indian-American public figures such as New York City Mayor Zahran Mamdani and Second Lady Usha Vance.
