Ali Sheikhani, a prominent entrepreneur, has taken charge as Constable in US state of Texas, becoming the first Pakistani American Republican to hold this office in Fort Bend County.He represents Precinct 3.
In a grand ceremony, Sheikhani raised his right hand and placed the other hand on the Holy Quran, wrapped in a green cloth (Juzdan). The family surrounded him as he vowed to fight crime and ensure the security of the people.
A round of applause followed as the young Pakistani American took the oath, saying, “I, Ali Sheikhani, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the duties of the office of the Fort Bend County Constable of the State of Texas. I will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and uphold the Constitution and laws of the United States and of Texas, my community, and the office of the Fort Bend County Precinct 3. So, help me, God.”
Later, talking to the media, Sheikhani termed it one of the most incredible days of his life. In the same breath, the Pakistani-American said, “I am committed to proving myself worthy of this honour and fulfilling the promises I made to the community.”
Sheikhani brings with him a proven record of serving as a law enforcement professional committed to accountable leadership. He is an entrepreneur who doesn’t need to make a living out of his professional service.
In November 2024, Sheikhani won this position by defeating incumbent Pakistani-American Democrat Nabil Shike at the polls.
The total votes cast in their Precinct 3 were 76,477. Republican Sheikhani amassed 39,936 votes (52.22%), while his Democrat rival Nabil Shike received 36,541 votes (47.78%).
Even during the primary, Sheikhani received 8,917 votes (81.6%) to beat his party challenger Aqeel Virk, who managed only 2,012 votes (18.4%). On the other hand, Shike claimed the Democrat ticket in a primary runoff with only a very small margin.
Shike secured 1,087 votes (55.3%), while his party rival Marion Glenn received 878 votes (44.7%).
Two factors played a crucial role in Sheikhani’s favour. First and foremost, he ran a vigorous campaign to reach out to the masses.
He also received endorsements from respected organizations and personalities, including the Texas Narcotics Officers Association, Trever Nehis, John Healey, James Patterson, Mike Beard, Chad Norvell, Manu P, and Marion Glenn.
Lady luck was with him, as a Democratic candidate Taral Patel, who faced serious allegations, opted to stay in the race.
Patel ran for county commissioner for the same precinct and lost the bid, creating a ripple effect on other candidates, including Shike.
Out of 75,918 votes cast for the county commissioner, Republican incumbent Andy Meyers secured 44,271 votes, while Democrat Patel received 30,927 votes.
Patel faced intense pressure to drop out of the race and make way for another Democrat to contest the election. Yet, he remained adamant. A Democrat leader from the same precinct said Sheikhani took full advantage of the toxic environment against the Democrats.
In his message, Constable-elect Sheikhani said he was grateful beyond words for the incredible support from his friends, family, and volunteers who made this journey possible. “This win is for all of us! Thank you for believing in me and standing by my side every step of the way,” he added.
He vowed to tirelessly work beyond party affiliation and fulfil campaign promises that included:
- Adding more patrol officers to neighbourhoods.
- Working with the county to fund the tools and resources law enforcement officers need to keep citizens safe.
- Creating faster response times to ensure safety.
- Increasing school safety by adding patrol officers to school zone areas.
Speaking to Geo News, Sheikhani said he was ready to serve with integrity, dedication, and a promise to deliver positive change.
Unlike Pakistan, a constable in the United States is an independent law enforcement agent. Their primary task is to enforce criminal and civil laws, arrest suspects, and conduct their own investigations. Yet, they can also serve legal documents like warrants or perform duties at polling stations on election day.
Sheikhani has recently graduated as a lawyer and was sworn in by Rabeea Collier, another Pakistani American.
