Hawaii Democrat poised to be first Hindu in Congress

Our take: Much has been said about Mitt Romney, if elected, would be the first Mormon president. The Religion News Service reports about another first in faith that is likely to come out of Hawaii, where Democrat Tulsi Gabbard is poised to become the first Hindu ever elected to Congress.

(RNS) Hindu Americans have run Americas major companies and universities, won Nobel prizes and Olympic gold medals, directed blockbuster movies, and even flown into space. But one profession has so far been out of reach: Member of Congress.

That may change next week in Hawaiis 2nd congressional district, where Democrat Tulsi Gabbard is poised to win an out-of-nowhere bid over Republican opponent Kawika Crowley. Gabbard was leading Crowley 70 percent to 18 percent, according to an Oct. 12 poll by the Honolulu Civil Beat.

The heavily Democratic district also elected one of two Buddhists to have ever served in Congress, Mazie Hirono, who won her seat in 2006 but is now running for the U.S. Senate.

Read more about Democrat Tulsi Gabbard path toward Congress on Religion News Service.