The paper’s editorial says the 31-year-old Indian American “understands California policy better than any other candidate” in the race.
The influential San Jose Mercury News editorial page has endorsed Indian American Vivek Viswanathan, who is running for California State Treasurer.
The editorial, dated May 11, said, “The 31-year-old Democratic candidate for state treasurer understands California policy better than any other candidate we’ve interviewed this year,” and that “his mastery of complex issues surpasses most elected officials twice his age.”
Viswanathan, who served as a policy adviser in the Clinton campaign, launched his campaign for the State Treasurer on January 17. He kicked off a two-month, 500-mile run as part of the campaign in March, covering more than 60 towns across California to meet voters and experience the state firsthand.
There are five candidates in the primary, and the top two will qualify for the general election in November. Viswanathan’s strongest opponent is another Asian American, Fiona Ma, who raised more than $2.5 million for the race. The Indian American has so far raised $186,000.
The editorial, titled “The standout pick for California treasurer is 31 years old,” said if Viswanathan can pass the California test he has the potential to be a “great leader.” The paper said it wholeheartedly recommend voters to back the Indian American candidate for the June 5 election.
Viswanathan, who most recently served as a special adviser in the office of Gov. Jerry Brown, has also served as a policy adviser to the Hillary Clinton campaign.
Among the issues he is running are safeguarding taxpayer money from corporations and strengthening the state’s public finances to bolster education, housing, and retirement.
“I am the son of immigrants who gave me a chance to get an education and go into public service. We must keep California fiscally strong to give others the opportunity I had,” he said in a statement earlier.
A graduate of Harvard College, he completed his law degree and MBA from Stanford University. He also earned a master’s in historical studies, as a Henry Fellow, at the University of Cambridge.
During his undergraduate years at Harvard, he was the managing editor of the Harvard Political Review.
His father, Ramaswamy Viswanathan, is a psychiatrist at the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center. His mother Kusum Viswanathan is a pediatric hematologist-oncologist. She also chairs the department of pediatrics at Brookdale University Hospital.