Yash Asarsa arrived in the United States more than two decades ago with $950. On May 14, 2026, he was sworn in as a member of the Rusk City Council, becoming the first Indian to hold elected office in the small East Texas city. Asarsa, owner of the Truckerz gas station in Rusk, won the District 3 seat unopposed in the May 2, 2026 election. His victory marked a milestone for a community of about 5,000 residents in Cherokee County, about 130 miles southeast of Dallas.Born in India, Asassa said he was drawn to Texas’ Western culture and cowboy image. What keeps him in Rusk, he said, is the people. After more than 15 years of operation and development, he has become a familiar face behind the counter of Truckerz, interacting with residents from all walks of life on a daily basis.“This community embraced me,” Asassa told CBS19. “This community has made me who I am, so I feel like I owe this community a lot.”He decided to run for office after observing divisions in the community. “I believe God gave us two ears and one mouth, so listen twice and speak once,” Asassa said. “I’m a good listener, that’s what makes me different. I understand people’s problems.”He believes his experience in retail prepared him well for a career in public service. “You see people from all walks of life and you learn how to understand people better,” he saidAsassa outlined several priorities as a new City Council member: repairing roads, hiring a police chief, addressing the city’s budget deficit and revitalizing downtown Rusk. Most importantly, he wants residents to feel heard. He also sees his role in a broader perspective. “I feel like I’m a representative of India — an ambassador of India,” Asasa said.The election of an Indian-American man to a Texas city council comes as the state rages over the Indian takeover. Dallas and Frisco have become hotbeds of anti-India sentiment. But Asassa wasn’t worried. “If you work hard and have passion in your heart,” Asassa said, “all your dreams are possible in this amazing country.”Asassa is running unopposed for the seat and will work with other City Council members to address local challenges. He was sworn in at Rusk City Hall. In the town where Asassa began as an immigrant business owner, his election reflects the community that embraced him 15 years ago. From the gas station counter to the chambers of Congress, his story has always been rooted in service to those who embraced him.
