GOP Rep Criticized for Omitting Indian Wife From Family Ad

The ad, released by Representative Lance Gooden of Texas, featured a photo of him with his children but not his wife, Alexa, who is of Indian descent. The image was used to promote traditional family values, drawing criticism from social media users who accused him of hiding his wife due to her ethnicity.

Gooden, a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, has not publicly commented on the omission. The ad was posted on his official Twitter account, where it remained as of Tuesday.

Critics, including some within the Indian American community, called the move hypocritical given Gooden's vocal support for family values. Others noted that his wife has appeared in previous campaign materials, making the exclusion seem deliberate.

The controversy comes amid heightened scrutiny of Republican lawmakers' stances on diversity and inclusion. Gooden's district in East Texas is predominantly white, but his wife's heritage has been a point of pride in past campaigns.

Neither Gooden's office nor his wife responded to requests for comment. The ad has since been deleted, but screenshots continue to circulate online.