Yash Asarsa arrived in the United States more than two decades ago, carrying $950. On May 14, 2026, he was sworn in as a member of the Rusk City Council, becoming the first person from India to hold elected office in the small East Texas city. Asarsa, owner of Truckerz gas station in Rusk, won the District 3 seat unopposed in the May 2, 2026 election. His victory marks a milestone in a community of roughly 5,000 residents in Cherokee County, about 130 miles southeast of Dallas.Born in India, Asarsa said he was drawn to Texas by its Western culture and cowboy imagery. What kept him in Rusk, he said, was its people. After more than 15 years of operating and growing his business, he became a familiar face behind the counter at Truckerz, interacting daily with residents from all walks of life.“This community embraced me,” Asarsa told CBS19. “This community made me who I am, so I feel like I owe a lot to this community.”He decided to run for office after observing divisions in the community. “I believe that God has given us two ears and one mouth, so listen twice and speak once,” Asarsa said. “I’m a good listener, and that’s what makes me different. I can understand people’s problems.”His experience in retail, he believes, prepared him well for public service. “You see people from all walks of life, and you learn how to understand people better,” he saidAs a new council member, Asarsa has outlined several priorities: fixing roads, hiring a police chief, addressing the city’s budget deficit, and revitalizing downtown Rusk. Above all, he wants residents to feel heard. He also views his role through a broader lens. “I feel like I’m a representative of India — an ambassador of India,” Asarsa said.The election of an Indian-origin man to a city council in Texas comes as the state is up in arms over the Indian takeover. Dallas and Frisco have become hotbeds of anti-Indian sentiments. But Asarsa is not bothered. “If you work hard and you have passion within you,” Asarsa said, “all dreams are possible in this amazing country.”Asarsa ran unopposed for the seat and will serve alongside other council members as the city navigates local challenges. His swearing-in took place at Rusk City Hall. In a town where he started as an immigrant business owner, Asarsa’s election reflects the community that took him in more than 15 years earlier. From a gas station counter to the council chamber, his story remains rooted in service to the same people who embraced him.
