Niraj Antani

Niraj Antani is a Republican politician who made history as the first Indian American state senator in Ohio. Born and raised in Ohio, he has been a prominent figure in state politics, becoming the youngest member of the Ohio Senate during his tenure. He is also recognized as the first Indian American Republican elected to state office in Ohio.

Education

Antani holds a bachelor's degree from The Ohio State University and is a graduate of Miamisburg High School.

Political Experience

State Senate: Antani was sworn in on January 4, 2021, as State Senator representing Ohio's 6th District, which covers most of Montgomery County. He served his first term in this position.

State House: From 2014 to 2020, he served as State Representative for the 42nd House District in the Ohio House of Representatives. He was first elected to the House at age 23, making him the second Indian American state elected official in Ohio history at that time.

Committee Leadership: During his legislative career, Antani served as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Vice Chair of the House Committee on Rules, and Vice Chair of the House Committee on Insurance. He was also a long-time member of the Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee.

Prior Experience: Before his election to the state legislature, Antani worked as Ohio State Director and Senior Adviser to the Romney presidential campaign in 2012. He also worked as an aide to U.S. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen in Washington, DC, and to U.S. Congressman Mike Turner in his Dayton office.

Current Campaign: Antani has announced his candidacy for Ohio Secretary of State in the 2026 election, which would make him the first Hindu and Indian American to hold a statewide executive position in Ohio if elected.

Notable Achievements

Antani has received numerous recognitions throughout his career, including Forbes Magazine's "30 Under 30" list for Law & Policy in 2015 and Newsmax's ranking as the 2nd most influential Republican under age 30 in the United States. He has also been named Legislator of the Year by organizations including the AMVETS Department of Ohio for his work supporting veterans, the Ohio Association of Community Colleges, and the Ohio Association of Career Colleges and Schools for his contributions to higher education.