Community could get 3 members in the US House of Reps.
By The American Bazaar Staff
WASHINGTON, DC: While Nikki Haley and Ami Bera are the two most recognizable Indian American candidates in Tuesday’s elections, a number of candidates from the community are running for various offices across the country. Here are some notable candidates:
FEDERAL OFFICES
U.S. Congress
Ami Bera
Party: Democrat
District: 7th Congressional District, California
Website: www.beraforcongress.com
Bera, the only Indian American in Congress at the moment, is locked in a tough battle against his Republican opponent.
Ro Khanna
Party: Democrat
District: 17th Congressional District, California
Website: www.rokhanna.com/
Khanna’s insurgent candidacy received a setback when President Obama endorsed his rival Rep. Mike Honda. Khanna’s campaign says its polls show it is an even race.
Manan Trivedi
Party: Democrat
District: 6th Congressional District, Pennsylvania
Website: www.trivediforcongress.com/
Trivedi, a physician, is facing a Republican opponent who is a lawyer. Whoever wins replaces an incumbent who has been serving the district for the last dozen years. Will it be second time lucky for Trivedi, a war veteran?
Arvin Vohra
Party: Libertarian
District: 4th Congressional District, Maryland
Website: http://www.votevohra.com/
Education entrepreneur Vohra is probably the most prominent Indian American libertarian politician in the country. But the Maryland-born candidate is facing an uphill battle against incumbent Democrat Donna Edwards who’s seeking a fourth term.
STATEWIDE OFFICES
Governor
Nikki Haley
Party: Republican
State: South Carolina
Website: http://nikkihaley.com/
Haley, the first Indian American woman governor, is seeking a second term. She is expected to win in the largely Republican state. A recent poll shows running 10 points ahead of her rival, Democrat Vincent Sheheen.
Neel Kashkari
Party: Republican
State: California
Website: http://www.neelkashkari.com
Kashkari, the former Bush bailout czar, is trying to become the third Indian American governor. But running against an incumbent governor, who is seeking a record fourth term, Kashkari faces an uphill battle.
Attorney General
Kamala Harris
Party: Democrat
State: California
Website: www.kamalaharris.org
Harris, the 32nd attorney general of California, is expected to get reelected easily.
Statehouses:
MARYLAND:
Kumar Barve
District: District 17, Maryland House of Delegates
Party: Democrat
Website: www.kumarbarve.com
Kumar Barve, the Maryland House Majority Leader, is the dean of Indian American state politicians having been in the Maryland House of Delegates since 1991.
Aruna Miller
District: District 15, Maryland House of Delegates
Party: Democrat
Website: www.arunamiller.com
The Hyderabad-born Miller has been in Maryland House since 2010, representing the state’s largest legislative district. She is seeking third term.
Shukoor Ahmed
Party: Independent
District: 23A, Maryland House of Delegates
Website: www.shukoor.com
Ahmed, a technology entrepreneur, is seeking to enter the House of Delegates from District 23A. This is the third time he is running. His previous two races were as a Democrat.
ILLINOIS
Krishna Bansal
District: Illinois House 84
Party: Republican
Website: www.krishnaforillinois.org
On his website, Bansal touts endorsements from a number of prominent Indian Americans, including Bharat Barai, who headed a committee that hosted a reception for Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Madison Square Garden in November.
District of Colombia Council
Kishan Putta
District: At-large, DC Council
Party: Independent
Website: http://www.kishanfordc.com
Krishan Putta, a Dartmouth and Harvard grad, is running to become one of the two at-large council members. If elected, the 40-year-old will become the first Indian American to get elected from the nation’s capital. According to the Washington Post, he has raised more than $40,000.
Washington
Pramila Jayapal
Party: Democrat
District: Washington State Senate 37th District
Website: http://www.electpramila.com
Armed with an endorsement from Seattle Times, Jayapal has a real chance of winning from the 37th District, which also includes parts of Seattle.
Satpal Sidhu
Party: Democrat
District: Washington State House 42nd District
Website: http://votesatpalsidhu.com
Sidhu, who runs a popular tea house along with his wife, has an MBA and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.
Janak Joshi
Party: Republican
District: Colorado House District 16
Website: http://www.electjanakjoshi.com/
Janak Joshi is a retired physician, grassroots activist, and resident of Colorado Springs for more than 31 years. Dr. Joshi was endorsed by Rep. Kent Lambert, who is vacating the seat to run for the State Senate.
Prasad Srinivasan
Party: Republican
District: 31st General Assembly District
Website: http://cthousegop.com/
Dr. Prasad Srinivasan (Dr.S) is a two time representative from the town of Glastonbury. He is a graduate of Baroda Medical College in India. Prasad Srinivasan is married to Mrs. Kala Prasad, a professional musician for 33 years.
Sam Singh
Party: Democrat
District:Michigan’s 69th House District
Website: http://069.housedems.com/
State Representative Sam Singh is serving his first term representing Michigan’s 69th House District, which includes East Lansing, Haslett, Okemos, Williamstown Township, and Locke Township. Before serving in the Legislature, Singh was elected to the East Lansing City Council at age 24. During his 10 years on council and one term as mayor, Singh worked to strengthen ties with MSU, promote regional cooperation and support economic development.
Latha Mangipudi
Party: Democrat
District:35th Hillsborough state house district
Website:
Latha Mangipudi is a Democratic member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives, representing Hillsborough. She was first elected to the chamber in a special election on November 5, 2013.
Post updated on 05-11-204
1 Comment
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