Yash Asarsa became the first Indian American elected to the Rusk City Council in East Texas.
Yash Asarsa arrived in the United States more than two decades ago with $950. On May 14, 2026, he was sworn in as a member of the Rusk City Council, becoming the first person from India to hold elected office in the small east Texas city.
Asarsa, owner of Truckers gas station in Rusk, won the District 3 seat unopposed in the May 2, 2026, election. His win marks a major milestone in a community of about 5,000 residents in Cherokee County, about 130 miles southeast of Dallas.Asarsa, who was born in India, said she was drawn to Texas by its Western culture and cowboy images. He said that what kept it in your head was its people. After more than 15 years of operating and growing his business, he has become a familiar face behind the counter at Truckerz, interacting daily with residents from all walks of life.“This community has embraced me,” Asarsa told CBS19. “This community made me who I am, so I feel like I owe a lot to this community.”He decided to run for president after noticing divisions in society. “I believe God gave us two ears and one mouth, so listen twice and speak once,” Asarsa said. “I’m a good listener, and that’s what makes me different. I can understand people’s problems.”He believes his retail experience prepared him well for public service. “You see people from all walks of life, and you learn how to understand people better,” he said.As a new council member, Asarsa identified several priorities: fixing roads, hiring a police chief, addressing the city’s budget deficit, and revitalizing downtown Rusk.
Above all, he wants residents to feel heard. He also views his role through a broader lens. “I feel like I am a representative of India, an ambassador of India,” Asarsa said.The election of a man of Indian origin to a city council in Texas comes at a time when the state is on fire due to India’s seizure of power. Dallas and Frisco became hotbeds of anti-Indian sentiment. But Asarsa is not fazed. “If you work hard and have passion inside you, all dreams are possible in this amazing country,” Asarsa said.Asarsa is running unopposed for the seat and will work alongside other council members as the city faces local challenges. The swearing-in took place at Rusk City Hall. In the city where he began his work as an immigrant business owner, Asarsa’s election reflects the community that welcomed him more than 15 years ago. From the gas station to the council chamber, his story remains rooted in service to the same people who embraced him.
