Yash Asarsa arrived in the United States more than two decades ago, carrying $950. On May 14, 2026, he was sworn in as a member of the Rusk City Council, becoming the first person from India to hold elected office in the small East Texas city. Asarsa, owner of Truckerz gas station in Rusk, won the District 3 seat unopposed in the May 2, 2026 election. His victory marks a milestone in a community of roughly 5,000 residents in Cherokee County, about 130 miles southeast of Dallas.
Born in India, Asarsa said he was drawn to Texas by its Western culture and cowboy imagery. What kept him in Rusk, he said, was its people. After more than 15 years of operating and growing his business, he became a familiar face behind the counter at Truckerz, interacting daily with residents from all walks of life.
