Tulsi Gabbard, a Hindu American, has won the Democratic party primary for the US Congress from Hawaii. Her victory in the November Congressional elections is said to be a certain, which will make her the first Hindu American to be a member of the US House of Representatives. …

Gabbard’s victory was cheered by the Hindu community. “Hindus in America will have voice in Congress,” said Vijay Pallod, a Hindu activist from Texas. Dalip Singh Saund, the first Indian-American in House of Representatives in 1950s was a Sikh, while Bobby Jindal the second Indian-American to make it converted to Christianity.

Though a Hindu, Gabbard is not Indian or of Indian origin. Her father Mike Gabbard, a Christian (Catholic), is currently Hawaii State Senator and mother Carol Porter Gabbard, a Hindu, is an educator.

Gabbard said she was looking to make her first trip to India as an elected member of the House of Representatives. “As a Vaishnava, I especially look forward to visiting the holy sites of Vrindavan,” she said. According to her campaign record, Tulsi’s spiritual lineage is the Brahma Madhva Gaudiya Sampradaya. The number of Hindus living in Hawaii is relatively small, with only two Hindu temples in the entire state.