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Niraj Antani reflects on recent campaign losses
He volunteered with an international nonprofit for his 35th birthday, promoting service.
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Anushka Pathak - Thu, 26, Feb 2026
- 16:08 EST
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Niraj Antani volunteering at Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton / Courtesy: X/@NirajAntani
Former Ohio State Senator Niraj Antani reflected on recent electoral setbacks, describing the past few years as “disappointing, discouraging, difficult” and signaling a renewed focus on public service.
In a post on X, Antani wrote, “Today, I turn 35 years old. Three weeks ago, I ended a campaign for State Treasurer. Two years ago, I lost a campaign for Congress.” After a decade of electoral victories, he said the recent losses prompted reassessment.
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Rather than celebrate privately, Antani volunteered with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton to help build a home for an impoverished family in Miamisburg, his hometown. “The only way I could spend today: in service,” he stated.
Today, I turn 35 years old. Three weeks ago, I ended a campaign for State Treasurer. Two years ago, I lost a campaign for Congress.
— Niraj Antani (@NirajAntani) February 26, 2026
Admittedly, after a decade of winning elections, this season of challenge has been disappointing, discouraging, difficult. Knowing this, a longtime… pic.twitter.com/JmESuil9lJ
The Indian-American Republican linked the decision to his faith and civic values. “My Hinduism commands me to live my Dharma, my duty, through my Seva, service,” he posted. “My patriotism and love of America demands service to Her.” He described service as “the singular constant” of his life, from school leadership to his tenure in the Ohio General Assembly.
He said the recent weeks allowed him to “recenter and refocus: on service,” adding, “This next chapter isn’t one of dejection, but one of renewal, revitalization, and reformation of my public service and fight to defend the American Dream.”
Antani thanked supporters who stood with him over the past two years and invited them to continue the journey. “There will be plenty of time to determine what’s next,” he wrote. “But for today, I’ll be here: in service.”
He concluded the post with a quote from Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore: “I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.”
Antani, the first Indian American to serve in the Ohio Senate and the youngest Hindu American state or federal elected official in U.S. history, had suspended his 2026 State Treasurer campaign on Feb. 5, citing a self-funding opponent.
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