President Donald Trump and his Republican Party have received a major blow in the 2026 midterm elections in America. The opposition Democratic Party holds a majority in both houses of the US Parliament, the Senate and the House of Representatives. People of Indian origin have also won resounding victories in this election, one of which is the name of Democrat leader Saba Haider, who was born in India. Saba Haider has registered a historic victory in the Illinois House of Representatives election in America. She became the first South Asian woman elected to the Illinois General Assembly. Let’s know who is Saba Haider.
Saba Haider won 70.9 percent of the vote from the 84th district in the US midterm elections held on November 3. He received 20,756 votes, while his Republican opponent, Brian Scopa, received 8,520 votes (29.1 percent). The 84th District covers parts of Will, DuPage, Kane and Kendall counties, including Aurora, Naperville, Oswego, Montgomery and Boulder Hill.
Saba posted after the win
After this great win, Saba Haider said in a post on social media, ‘We did it! For the last 15 months we have gone to every corner of the 84th district and talked to voters. We tried to understand what was important to them, what change they wanted to see and how together we could build a stronger, richer and more inclusive community.
Saba Haider thanked voters, family members, friends, his campaign team and volunteers. He called his election campaign a grassroots movement based on people power. “Ultimately, this election was about the people who call this community home,” he said. It was about creating the future we all deserve.
Saba Haider said her victory is for all those who believe in Illinois as a fair, just and welcoming place for all. He said, ‘Onwards and upwards!’ Before joining the Illinois Legislature, Saba Haider served as a DuPage County Board member and community advocate.
Belongs to Bulandshahr district of Uttar Pradesh
Born in India, Saba Haider’s family hails from Bulandshahr district of Uttar Pradesh. She came to America about 20 years ago. “Since then, I have dedicated my life to serving the community that helped me and my family make Illinois our home,” Saba Haider said during her election campaign.
She said she looks forward to continuing to serve the community by taking community concerns to the state capital of Springfield and working closely with elected representatives to address challenges facing working families. Haider said during his election campaign, ‘I am well aware of the struggle our working families are going through. I want to work with our elected representatives to find solutions to the problems we all face.
Studies from Aligarh Muslim University
Saba Haider, an alumnus of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), holds an MSc in Wildlife Science from the same institution. AMU congratulated him on his victory and termed it a proud moment for the university community. From studying wildlife science at Muslim University (AMU) to teaching yoga in America and then entering electoral politics, 42-year-old Saba Haider has added another feat to her illustrious journey.
Victory celebrations at ancestral home in Ghaziabad
Saba Haider, whose family is originally from Aurangabad city in Bulandshahr district. His victory was celebrated at his ancestral home in Ghaziabad and his relatives living in Bulandshahr also joined in the fun. His father, Syed Ali Haider, a retired engineer, said that since the results were declared, he has been receiving calls from people congratulating him. He said, ‘This is not only a victory for our family, but a matter of pride for the entire country.’
He was interested in public works and politics from childhood
His mother Chandni said Saba was interested in public works and politics from childhood. He said, ‘She always participated in debate and speech competitions. I think his strong academic background laid the foundation for his passion for politics and public service.
Early Education in Ghaziabad
Saba studied from Holy Child School in Ghaziabad and later obtained her B.Sc degree from Ram Chameli Chadha Vishwas Girls College. After this he won a gold medal in wildlife science from AMU. In 2006, she married Ali Kazmi, a computer science engineer from Bulandshahr, and moved to America with him in 2007.
Saba’s trip to America
The couple, who settled in the Chicago area, have two children, Azim (16) and Aiza (12). Saba became a certified yoga teacher and trained a diverse clientele ranging from college students to corporate professionals. His work in the field of health and wellness has helped him build strong relationships in the local community.
Chandni said, ‘Over the past few years, Saba has built strong relationships with the people of her community through health and social initiatives. Her husband has also fully supported her, encouraging her to participate in public work and pursue her political journey. We always stand with their ambition.
However, his political journey was not without success. She first ran for DuPage County Board in 2022, but lost by nearly 1,000 votes. Determined to make another attempt, she ran again in 2024 and secured her seat on the DuPage County Board, defeating Republican incumbent Patty Gustin by a wide margin of 8,521 votes.
The board consists of elected representatives from six districts, whose terms of office are determined by lottery and vary from two to four years. Since then, Haider has chaired the county board’s environmental and strategic planning committees and worked on issues related to public health and community development. His campaign for the state legislature focused on affordable healthcare, education and reducing rising inflation.
