Fmr Sen. Antani Announces Campaign For State Treasurer In 2026

MIAMISBURG- Today, former State Senator Niraj Antani announced his campaign for State Treasurer in 2026.



“Living under British rule in India, less than 80 years ago, my family was taxed without representation. They had to pay land taxes, income taxes, and more to the British Crown, despite having no freedom. It was a salt tax that was imposed on the Indian people that started the protests that would become the Indian independence movement, which eventually earned my family their freedom. Similar to the Boston Tea Party, protesting taxes on tea and more imposed by the British on the colonies, that led to the American Revolution, my family experienced this same British tyranny firsthand in India. With this special appreciation for the importance of stewarding the public’s finances, I understand it is among our government’s oldest and most principal responsibilities. It will be my honor to be that steward for 11.8 million Ohioans.



I served for over a decade as a State Senator and State Representative in the Ohio General Assembly. I saw first-hand how the political establishment and special interests work against the people, squeezing Ohioans of their hard earned tax dollars to spend them on special pet projects. I always stood with a steel spine against them, and I’ll continue to do so. My family came to America and became American citizens to pursue the American Dream. I’ve always fought to give that same opportunity to achieve the American Dream to every Ohioan, even when the entrenched establishment wanted me to vote another way,” Sen. Antani said.



Sen. Antani is the 1st Indian American and Hindu State Senator in Ohio history. He enacted a law to give every Hindu student in Ohio a day off school for Diwali and 2 other Hindu holidays. He passed the bill to designate October as Hindu Heritage Month. He was the only one to speak up against the “Dismantling Global Hindutva” conference, the Seattle City Council resolution and California bill that targeted Hindus, and the first in support of the safety of Bangladeshi Hindus.



If elected as Ohio’s next State Treasurer, Sen. Antani will become the 1st Hindu and Indian American down ticket statewide office holder in American history. As well, he will become not only the first Hindu and Indian American elected statewide office holder in Ohio, but its 1st Asian American statewide elected office holder in state history.



The current State Treasurer is term limited and can't run again for re-election. As Ohio’s chief financial officer, the State Treasurer collects and safeguards the $30+ billion of Ohio's taxes & fees. As Ohio's Chief Investment Officer, the State Treasurer manages the $30 billion investment portfolio and the $10 billion debt portfolio of Ohio.