During the first quarter of the 2024 election year, five South Asian candidates raised a dismal amount totaling just over $59,000. With primaries over, only two Democratic candidates have moved on to November’s general election, while incumbent Assemblyman Ruben D’Silva (D) is running unopposed and is moving on to represent the community as a second-term Nevada State Assemblyman.  Surprisingly, in this crucial election year, no Republican member of the growing, highly educated, and financially prosperous community filed for an elected office.

Indian-American incumbent Assemblyman from District 28, Reuben D’Silva, raised over $41,700 during the second quarter of this election year, including an in-kind contribution totaling $7,000. The significant contributors include numerous PACs and corporations. D’Silva’s expenditures include expenses related to voter outreach efforts and meeting the Assembly’s 28 constituents.

As D’Silva is running unopposed, the campaign spent a minimal amount, $6,187 to be exact, to reach out and engage voters and donors alike. Moving on, D’Silva has over $86,000 in campaign cash.

After raising over $14,000 in the first quarter, Pakistani-American Hanadi Nadeem, a Democratic candidate for the NV State Assembly from District 34, received contributions totaling over $64,500, including an in-kind donation of $1,856, mostly from her local Pakistani American supporters. Hanadi had an uber-successful fundraising event in April where supporters had an opportunity to meet and listen to her political thoughts. Noteworthy contributors include Dr. Aury Nagy and Dr. R.D. Prabhu via his Red Rock Square LLC, who donated $5,000 each. Nadeem’s Republican opponent raised a meager amount totaling $1,750 during the same period. With no credible opponent, Hanadi controlled the election expenditure by spending a small amount totaling $5,770 on consulting, mailing, and other expenses. With over $63,000 in campaign cash, Hanadi is strategically positioned to win the race and make history by becoming the first elected Pakistani-American in Nevada.

Candidate for the Nevada Assembly District 35, Afghani-American Sharifa Wahab, raised $27,185 between April and June of this election year. Most of the funds Wahab raised are from Democratic PACs, including $10,000 from Washington DC-based PAC for America’s Future. The largest individual donation is from prominent Indian-American trial attorney Paul Padda, who donated $1,500 to Wahab’s campaign. During the same period, Wahab spent $6,110 on campaign-related expenses. Moving on to the general election, Wahab has over $46,800 in cash. Wahab’s Republican opponent, Dr. Rebecca Edgeworth, a local Physician, raised over $151,500 with $163,815 in available cash for the upcoming campaign.

The general election day is Tuesday, November 5, with early voting from October 19 through November 1, 2024. As per Nevada law, mail ballots must be ready for distribution to in-state voters no later than 20 days before the election.

For further information on candidates, please visit

• https://dsilvafornevada.com/
• https://hanadinadeem.com/
• https://www.sharifafornevada.com/