Nisha Lodhavia

Nisha Lodhavia is the Democratic candidate for Delaware State Senate District 15 in the November 3, 2026 general election, running against Republican Emily Thompson in a race with no incumbent.[1][2] A retired statistics and epidemiology professor, she serves as a University of Delaware trustee.[3]

Nisha Lodhavia earned a bachelor's degree from North Carolina State University in 1993, a graduate degree from Brown University in 2001, a graduate degree from Hahnemann University, and a Ph.D. from Wilmington University in 2009.[2] In a Ballotpedia survey, Lodhavia said she taught statistics and epidemiology for more than 25 years, with a career spanning higher education, public health and nonprofit leadership.[3] She said she serves on the Board of Directors of Easterseals Delaware & Maryland's Eastern Shore, previously led the Hope Medical Dental Clinic Board of Directors, and has held board positions with the Greater Dover Boys & Girls Club and Meals on Wheels Delaware.[3] Lodhavia said she was appointed to the Delaware State Board of Education, served on the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Delaware Supreme Court, and was appointed to the Delaware Women's Hall of Fame committee.[3]

Lodhavia said her campaign centers on public education, citing declining student proficiency, chronic absenteeism and teacher shortages, and calling for bipartisan solutions.[3]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.