The junior senator from New York is the most high-profile Democrat to endorse the Indian American.
New York’s junior senator and a leading voice in women’s empowerment issues Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand on Wednesday endorsed Aruna Miller, who is running from Maryland’s 6th Congressional District.
Gillibrand said Miller, an Indian American state delegate representing Maryland’s 15th district, is a known “defender of women and children from their abusers” and one who has been in the forefront advocating provision for paid leaves for Maryland workers.
In an official statement sent out to media, the senator said she is eager to see Miller in Congress.
“I can’t wait to see what she’ll do in Congress,” Gillibrand said in the statement.
In a press release issued by Miller’s campaign, the senator said: “I am proud to support a proven leader like Delegate Aruna Miller in her race for Congress. While in Annapolis, she fought to protect women and children from their abusers, to provide paid sick leave for all Maryland workers, and to ensure the next generation is ready to take on the jobs of the future by mandating computer science classes be available in all Maryland high schools. I can’t wait to see what she’ll do in Congress.”
“Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is an honest and unapologetic leader in the Democratic Party and a fierce advocate for women in politics. It is an honor to have her support in my campaign,” Miller said.
Miller is vying with eight fellow Democrats in the primary election set for June to replace Rep. John Delaney, who is not seeking re-election.
Gillibrand is the most high-profile Democrat to endorse the Indian American.
Miller has also received the endorsement from Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett.
She had earlier this month won a straw poll held after the “Our Revolution” candidate forum.
According to her campaign, which announced the figures in a press release on Thursday, Miller had earlier finished as the top fundraiser among Democrats running for the Congress, raising $301,628 in the fourth quarter of 2017, bringing her total to nearly $863,000.
According to the figures released by her campaign more than 1,400 individual contributors gave a total of 1,723 distinct contributions to the campaign. It said that 98 percent of the contributions are from individuals.
Other Democrats who are running in the primary include, Andrew Duck, George English, Chris Graves, Nadia Hashimi, Christopher Hearsey, Roger Manno and David Trone.
On the Republican l side, the field includes Kurt Elsasser, Amie Hoeber, Lisa Lloyd, and Brad Rohrs for the primary race.
Gillibrand, who is encouraging women to run for public offices, is also a resounding voice against sexual harassment.
She is seen as a democratic presidential contender in the 2020 election.
Last year, Gillibrand had a face-off with President Trump after she demanded his resignation citing sexual assault allegations against him.
The Political Action Committee represented by Gillibrand that encourages women to run for public office has also contributed $5,000 to Miller’s campaign.