Niraj Antani
{{Short description|American politician (born 1991)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Niraj Antani
| image =
| state_senate = Ohio
| district = 6th
| term_start = January 4, 2021
| term_end = December 31, 2024
| predecessor = Peggy Lehner
| successor = Willis Blackshear Jr.
| state_house1 = Ohio
| district1 = 42nd
| term_start1 = December 2, 2014
| term_end1 = December 31, 2020
| predecessor1 = Terry Blair
| successor1 = Tom Young
| birth_name = Niraj Jaimini Antani
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|2|26}}
| birth_place = Miami Township, Ohio, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| party = Republican
| education = Ohio State University (BA)
University of Dayton Law School (no degree)
}}
Niraj Jaimini Antani (born February 26, 1991) is an American politician from the state of Ohio. A Republican, he represented the 6th district in the Ohio State Senate from 2021 to 2024, covering the northern, eastern, and southern of Montgomery County. Prior to this, he served three terms in the Ohio House of Representatives as representative from the 42nd district.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/style/wp/2018/07/16/feature/the-next-generation-of-republicans-do-they-stand-with-trump/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427030203/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/style/wp/2018/07/16/feature/the-next-generation-of-republicans-do-they-stand-with-trump/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 27, 2019|title=The next generation of Republicans: Do they stand with Trump? - The Washington Post|author=|newspaper=The Washington Post |date=July 16, 2018|access-date=April 27, 2019}}
Antani was the first Indian and Hindu American member of the Ohio State Senate.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-31 |title=Ohio State Senator Niraj Antani ends term on record of accomplishments; will announce future plans soon - News India Times |url=https://newsindiatimes.com/ohio-state-senator-niraj-antani-ends-term-on-record-of-accomplishments-will-announce-future-plans-soon/ |access-date=2025-01-16 |language=en-US}} He did not run for reelection in 2024, and instead ran for Ohio's 2nd congressional district, where he lost the Republican primary.
Early life and education
Antani was born to Indian immigrant parents and raised in Miami Township.{{Cite news |date=2020-11-04 |title=Niraj Antani becomes first Indian-American to be elected to Ohio state Senate |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/nris-in-news/niraj-antani-becomes-first-indian-american-to-be-elected-to-ohio-state-senate/articleshow/79035455.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2025-02-09 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}} He lives in Miamisburg, Ohio. Antani attended Miamisburg City Schools and graduated from Miamisburg High School in 2009. He went on to Ohio State University and earned his bachelor's degree in political science.{{cite news|url=http://thelantern.com/2014/10/recent-ohio-state-graduate-niraj-antani-running-for-state-house/|title=Recent Ohio State graduate Niraj Antani running for state House|last1=DuVall|first1=Audrey|date=October 28, 2014|work=The Lantern|access-date=November 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113144951/http://thelantern.com/2014/10/recent-ohio-state-graduate-niraj-antani-running-for-state-house/|archive-date=November 13, 2014|url-status=live}} After that, he briefly attended the University of Dayton Law School before leaving to run for State Representative.{{Cite news|last=Blizzard|first=Nick|title=UD student wins GOP nod for state rep spot|url=https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/student-wins-gop-nod-for-state-rep-spot/1ONjUrIHnmatgkOfPviAlO/|access-date=July 22, 2020|work=Dayton Daily News|language=en-us|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723030954/https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/student-wins-gop-nod-for-state-rep-spot/1ONjUrIHnmatgkOfPviAlO/|archive-date=July 23, 2020|url-status=live}}
Career
When state Representative Terry Blair died after winning the 2014 primary election for a fourth term, Antani was chosen by the Montgomery County Republican party to replace Blair on the ballot. It was a difficult win for Antani, who was at the time a political outsider, "It took four rounds for Niraj Antani of Miami Twp. to gain a majority of votes from the district’s GOP precinct captains." However, Antani won the general election 64.5% to 35.5% over Democrat Patrick Merris at the age of 23.2014 Ohio election results, Ohio Secretary of State Jon A. Husted Antani was sworn in to the Ohio House of Representatives to complete the remainder of Blair's term on December 2, 2014.{{cite news |url=http://ohiopolitics.blog.daytondailynews.com/2014/12/02/antani-sworn-in-to-fill-blair-vacancy-in-ohio-house/ |author=Laura Bischoff |title=Antani sworn in to fill Blair vacancy in Ohio House |date=December 2, 2014 |work=Dayton Daily News |accessdate=December 2, 2014 |location=Dayton |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150129012532/http://ohiopolitics.blog.daytondailynews.com/2014/12/02/antani-sworn-in-to-fill-blair-vacancy-in-ohio-house/ |archive-date=January 29, 2015 |url-status=dead}}
During the 2020 United States elections, Antani ran for Ohio State Senate in the 6th district. This district includes much of eastern Montgomery County, Ohio. Antani won the general election against Democratic Party candidate Mark Fogel with 53.17% of the vote.{{Cite web |title=ELECTION RESULTS 2020 |url=https://www.montgomery.boe.ohio.gov/election-results/#281-336-2020-1588177826 |website=www.montgomery.boe.ohio.gov}}
In 2019, Antani co-sponsored legislation, along with 21 other House Republicans {{cite web | url=https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/133/hb413 | title=House Bill 413 | 133rd General Assembly | Ohio Legislature }} that would restrict abortion in Ohio. Doctors who performed abortions in cases of ectopic pregnancy and other life-threatening conditions would be exempt from prosecution only if they "[took] all possible steps to preserve the life of the unborn child, while preserving the life of the woman. Reimplantation of an ectopic pregnancy is not a recognized or medically feasible procedure.{{cite web |last=Glenza |first=Jessica |date=November 29, 2019 |title=Ohio bill orders doctors to 'reimplant ectopic pregnancy' or face 'abortion murder' charges |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/nov/29/ohio-extreme-abortion-bill-reimplant-ectopic-pregnancy |access-date=November 29, 2019 |work=The Guardian}}{{cite news |last1=Rezac |first1=Mary |title=Pro-life doctors: Despite Ohio bill, there is no procedure to save ectopic pregnancies |language=en |agency=Catholic News Agency |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/41307/pro-life-doctors-despite-ohio-bill-there-is-no-procedure-to-save-ectopic-pregnancies}}
Antani chaired the Ohio Republican Party Asian Pacific American Advisory Council and serves on the national board of the Republican State Leadership Committee's Future Majority Project.
= Committee assignments =
During the 134th General Assembly, Antani was assigned to the following Ohio Senate committees:{{Cite web |title=Senator Niraj Antani - Bio {{!}} The Ohio Senate |url=https://ohiosenate.gov/senators/antani/bio |access-date=November 6, 2022 |website=ohiosenate.gov}}
- (Vice Chair of) Health Committee
- Financial Institutions & Technology Committee
- Judiciary Committee
- Transportation Committee
On February 12, 2025, Antani suspended his three-week campaign for Ohio Secretary of State citing that the Ohio GOP was conspiring against him. A few hours later he announced his candidacy for Ohio State Treasurer citing an easier path to victory and his Indian heritage as credentials.
2024 congressional candidacy
In 2024, Antani ran for Congress to fill Ohio's 2nd congressional district after Brad Wenstrup announced he would not seek re-election. In the Republican primary he came in 10th out of 11th place, earning only 1.69% of the vote, with David Taylor winning the primary election with 25.40% of the vote.
Electoral history
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |
| colspan="9" | Election results |
|---|
| Year
!Office !Election !Votes for Antani !% !Opponent !Party !Votes !% |
| 2014
|rowspan=3|Ohio House of Representatives |General |{{Party shading/Republican}} |20,440 |{{Party shading/Republican}} |64.50% |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Patrick Merris |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |11,248 |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |35.50% |
| 2016
|General |{{Party shading/Republican}} |33,997 |{{Party shading/Republican}} |63.03% |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Patrick Merris |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |19,939 |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |36.97% |
| 2018
|General |{{Party shading/Republican}} |28,079 |{{Party shading/Republican}} |59.30% |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Zach Dickerson |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |19,273 |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |40.70% |
| 2020
|rowspan=1|Ohio Senate |General |{{Party shading/Republican}} |99,096 |{{Party shading/Republican}} |53.2% |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Mark Fogel |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Democratic |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |87,280 |{{Party shading/Democratic}} |46.8% |
| 2024
|rowspan=1|OH-02 |Primary |{{Party shading/Republican}} |1,736 |{{Party shading/Republican}} |1.69% |{{Party shading/Republican}} |David Taylor |{{Party shading/Republican}} |Republican |{{Party shading/Republican}} |26,102 |{{Party shading/Republican}} |25.4% |
Controversies
{{criticism section|date=November 2023}}
On March 14, 2018, Antani made headlines by appearing to suggest that students who were over the age of 18 should be allowed to bring rifles to school in their cars. The following day, after substantial press, Niraj backtracked and said that he did a poor job of stating his position.{{cite web|url=https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/local/ohio-lawmaker-allow-students-age-plus-carry-guns-high-school/200gZDakwOg2RbKMJReDDL/|title=Ohio lawmaker: 'Did a poor job of communicating' position on students bearing firearms|first=Staff Writer|last=Will Garbe|date=|website=daytondailynews|access-date=April 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315212151/https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/local/ohio-lawmaker-allow-students-age-plus-carry-guns-high-school/200gZDakwOg2RbKMJReDDL/|archive-date=March 15, 2018|url-status=live}}
In July 2024, the Miami Township Board of Trustees unanimously passed a resolution calling for State Senator Niraj Antani's resignation, citing his refusal to support local project funding through the OneTime Strategic Community Investment Fund (OTSCIF) in the state capital budget. https://www.daytondailynews.com/local/miami-twp-trustees-call-for-antani-to-step-down-state-senator-fires-back/FUMU3D23AVB6BBTX5TU6W2BWBE/
Antani defended his stance, arguing that the $700 million surplus allocation was excessive and not in taxpayers' best interests. Antani later attacked the Miami Township Trustees personally saying they didn’t understand the legislative process in the Ohio Statehouse and that they were unprofessional, harsh toward him and Antani also insinuated one of the trustees was corrupt with regard to the placement of a park in the township near his personal residence during the public testimony period on August 7th 2024.
In June 2024, Centerville City Council considered a similar resolution but delayed action to allow Antani an opportunity to address concerns about his representation, including missed Senate votes and lack of engagement with local stakeholders.
https://www.daytondailynews.com/local/centerville-delays-vote-seeking-antani-ouster-ohio-senator-to-address-council/QVI5KBO7YFHKRMLHFZ5RS6WOJU/
Personal life
Outside of the Ohio Senate, Antani is a member of the National Rifle Association of America and Dayton Right to Life.{{cite web |title=Senator Niraj Antani Biography {{!}} Ohio Senate |url=https://ohiosenate.gov/members/niraj-antani/biography |publisher=Ohio Senate |access-date=23 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327044747/https://ohiosenate.gov/members/niraj-antani/biography |archive-date=March 27, 2023 |language=en-us |url-status=live}} He was a member of the Rotary Club of Miamisburg, is the former President of the Miamisburg High School Alumni Association, and a former executive board member of the non-profit Dayton International Festival, Inc.
In 2015, Niraj was added to Forbes Magazine's list of the top "30 under 30" people in the U.S. for Law & Policy in 2015.{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/pictures/hdid45jh/daniel-lewis-28/|title=Niraj Antani, 23|website=Forbes|language=en-us|access-date=March 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117055608/https://www.forbes.com/pictures/hdid45jh/daniel-lewis-28/|archive-date=November 17, 2015|url-status=live}}
Beginning in 2018, Antani started serving on the national board of the Republican State Leadership Committee's Future Majority Project.{{Cite web|url=https://rslc.gop/about_rslc/fmp/|title=FMP|website=RSLC|language=en-US|access-date=March 14, 2019}}
Antani has received the Legislator of the Year Award by the AMVETS Department of Ohio for his work on veterans issues.
He practices Hinduism.{{cite news |author1=Anna Staver |title=Ohio Republican says GOP can do better after 'inartful' comment about his Hindu faith |url=https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/politics/2023/02/23/ohio-republican-responds-to-inartful-comment-about-his-hindu-faith/69936194007 |access-date=23 January 2024 |work=The Columbus Dispatch |publisher=Gannett |date=February 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228211935/https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/politics/2023/02/23/ohio-republican-responds-to-inartful-comment-about-his-hindu-faith/69936194007 |archive-date=February 28, 2023 |language=en-us}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.nirajantani.com Campaign website]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Antani, Niraj}}
Category:21st-century members of the Ohio General Assembly
Category:Asian-American state legislators in Ohio
Category:Asian conservatism in the United States
Category:American politicians of Indian descent
Category:Ohio State University College of Arts and Sciences alumni
Category:People from Miamisburg, Ohio
Category:Republican Party members of the Ohio House of Representatives
Category:Republican Party Ohio state senators
Category:Candidates in the 2024 United States House of Representatives elections