Get RNS’ thoughtful, essential religion reporting every morning. Sign up for free!

(RNS) — Dr. Amish Shah, a physician, Democrat and Arizona state legislator who said he was “promoting the Jain way of life” during his campaign, won Arizona’s 1st Congressional District on Tuesday, becoming the first Jain American elected to Congress.

In Florida, Democrat Pia Dandiya, a former high school principal whose parents are practicing Jains, won the 22nd Congressional District. Her campaign did not respond to questions about whether she practices the faith. Indian American Impact, a group backing South Asian candidates, counts both as Jain Americans.

There are an estimated 150,000 adherents to Jainism in the U.S., according to the Arihanta Institute, a nonprofit that promotes Jain-related education and research.

Some Jains celebrated the prospect of having representation in Congress for the first time ever.

“With Amish and Pia, the timeless Jain values of nonviolence, non-attachment and the multiplicity of…