Three Malayalis have secured victories in the 2026 US elections, winning key judicial and local government positions in Fort Bend County, Texas.
The winners are Surendran K Patel of Kasaragod, Julie A Mathew of Tiruvalla and Martin John of Kanjirappally. Their victories mark a notable achievement for the Malayali community in the United States.
Surendran K Patel has been re-elected as judge of the 240th Judicial District Court. A Democratic candidate, he defeated Republican candidate Asha Reddy. Patel secured around 60% of the votes, increasing his winning margin compared with the previous election. He is a law graduate from the University of Calicut and previously practised at Hosdurg Court and the Supreme Court of India before moving to the US in 2007.
Julie A Mathew has retained her position as judge of the Fort Bend County Court at Law. She secured around 60% of the votes against Republican candidate Jessica Jaramillo. Mathew made history in 2018 as the first judge of Asian descent elected to the bench in Fort Bend County and the first Indian-American woman elected to the bench in the US.
Martin John won election to the Board of Directors of the Fort Bend Central Appraisal District on a non-partisan ticket. He received around 57% of the votes. Originally from Kalaketty, he moved to the US with his family in 2000 and holds a postgraduate degree in International Relations from Mahatma Gandhi University.
The three victories highlight the growing participation of Malayalis in local governance and the judicial system in the United States.
