Arun Kumar/IANS

Washington, Jul 14: Raj Goyle, an Indian-American Democratic legislator in Kansas state, will run for the US House of Representatives next year. If elected, he would be the third Indian American in the US Congress after Dilip Singh Saund and Bobby Jindal.

"I am running because too many Kansas families and businesses are struggling right now. We need strong, independent leadership to tackle these challenges," Goyle said.

"I was raised to believe in Kansas values of hard work, common sense, optimism and community. I am determined to bring those principles to Washington on behalf of the people of the 4th District."

Said to be an young emerging Democrat, Goyle had shocked the Kansas political establishment when he beat three-term incumbent, Republican Bonnie Huy, in 2006. Goyle retained the seat in the 2008 elections with 67 percent votes.

Goyle, who grew up in Wichita, Kansas, also teaches at Wichita State University. His parents migrated to the US from India.

Saund, born in Amritsar, was elected to the US Congress in 1956, the first Congressman at that time who was born in Asia. He died in 1973. Jindal, whose parents migrated from Punjab, India, later went to become the governor of the state of Louisiana, the first Indian American to achieve this position.