Saba Haider with her family — parents, both brothers, sister-in-law and their kids — at her Ghaziabad residence during her visit to India in January 2025
Bulandshahr: From studying wildlife science at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) to teaching yoga in the US and eventually entering electoral politics, 42-year-old Saba Haider has added another milestone to her remarkable journey, winning a seat in the Illinois House of Representatives with an emphatic mandate.
Haider, whose family roots lie in Aurangabad town of Bulandshahr district, defeated Republican rival Brian Scopa in the election for Illinois’ 84th House District, securing around 71% of the votes against his 29%, according to the latest results. In 2006, she married Ali Kazmi, a computer science engineer from Bulandshahr, and moved to the US with him in 2007. Settled in the Chicago area, the couple have two children, Azim (16) and Aizah (12). She first contested the DuPage County Board elections in 2022 but lost by around 1,000 votes. Determined to make another attempt, she returned to the electoral fray in 2024 and defeated Republican incumbent Patty Gustin by a reported margin of 8,521 votes to secure a seat on the DuPage County Board.
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Her father, Syed Ali Haider, a retired engineer, said congratulatory calls had been pouring in since the results came in. “This is not just a victory for our family but a moment of pride for the entire country,” he said. Her mother, Chandni, said Saba had displayed an inclination towards public affairs and politics from a young age. I think her strong academic background created the foundation for her passion in politics and public service,” she said. We have always stood behind her ambitions,” Chandni said.
The victory triggered celebrations at her parental home in Ghaziabad , with relatives in Bulandshahr also joining in the excitement. “She would always take part in debates and oratory competitions. Saba studied at Holy Child School in Ghaziabad before pursuing a BSc from Ram Chameli Chadha Vishvas Girls’ College. She subsequently earned a gold medal in wildlife sciences from AMU. Saba went on to become a certified yoga teacher, training a diverse clientele ranging from college students to corporate professionals. Her work in wellness helped her build connections within the local community. “Over the years, Saba has built strong connections with people in her community through her work in wellness and social initiatives. Her husband has been equally supportive, encouraging her to take up public causes and pursue her political journey. Her political journey, however, was not without setbacks. The board comprises elected representatives from six districts, with tenure determined through a draw and varying between two and four years. Her campaign for the state legislature focused on affordable healthcare, education and easing the rising cost of living. Download the TOI App.
Since then, Haider has chaired the county board’s environmental and strategic planning committees and worked on issues concerning public health and community development.