Dr. Anita Somani’s political journey brings together her career in medicine, advocacy for reproductive health and public service in Ohio. The Indian American Democrat won re-election to the Ohio House of Representatives in the general election, securing another term representing the state’s 8th House District.
Somani’s victory marks her return for a second term in the Ohio legislature, where she has focused on healthcare policy, reproductive rights, education and public health.
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According to the unofficial results reported by the Ohio election authorities, Somani defeated Republican challenger Kelly Hunter-Kalagidis with the margin of 20,738 votes, or approximately 41.6 percentage points. All 81 precincts in Franklin County’s District 8 results were reported in the county’s published summary. The results should be described as unofficial until state certification.
Somani is a first-generation immigrant from India. According to her official Ohio Statehouse biography, her father was the first Asian person to serve in an Ohio governor’s cabinet.
She built her professional career in Columbus, Ohio, where she has worked in healthcare for more than three decades. She is an obstetrician-gynecologist at OhioHealth.
Anita Somani earned her medical degree from the Medical College of Ohio and completed her OB/GYN residency at Mount Carmel Medical Center in Columbus. She also holds certification in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. Before entering elected office, Somani was involved in medical advocacy and community organizations. Her leadership roles included serving as co-chair of the Physicians Action Network and Ohio state director for South Asians for America. She also served on the board of the Columbus Medical Association and Planned Parenthood of Central Ohio.
Somani entered electoral politics in 2022, contesting an open seat in Ohio’s 11th House District after legislative redistricting.
Somani’s medical background has shaped much of her legislative work. She serves on the Ohio House Medicaid Committee and is the ranking Democratic member of the House Health Committee.
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These measures appear in her official legislative sponsorship record. They should be distinguished from enacted laws: sponsorship or introduction does not mean a proposal became law.
Her legislative record also includes House Bill 245, concerning Ohio parenting and pregnancy program services.
Somani’s latest victory gives her another two-year term beginning in January 2027. Anita Somani will enter her third consecutive term in the Ohio House after winning elections in 2022, 2024 and 2026.
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Her re-election comes as Ohio Democrats made significant gains in the 2026 state elections. According to the November election results overview, Democrats reduced the Republican supermajority in the Ohio House, although Republicans retained control of the chamber.
For Indian Americans, Somani’s political career adds another example of an immigrant who moved from a professional career into state-level elected office. Her background in medicine, community advocacy and legislative service provides a distinct dimension to her political profile.
Her next term will provide an opportunity to continue pursuing healthcare legislation, particularly reproductive health, IVF access and women’s health, while working within a legislature still controlled by Republicans