Indian-American senator Suhas Subramanyam announces candidacy for US House of Representatives
NEW DELHI: Suhas Subramanyam, a 37-year-old Indian-American Senator from the US state of Virginia, has declared his candidacy for the US House of Representatives from the 10th Congressional District of Virginia. Subramanyam, who made history as the first Indian-American, South-Asian and Hindu to be elected to the Virginia General Assembly in 2019 and later to the Virginia State Senate in 2023, aims to address the dysfunction in Congress and combat extremism.
Subramanyam's decision to run for the House seat follows the announcement by the incumbent Democrat Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton that she will not seek reelection. Born in Houston to Indian-American parents who migrated from Bengaluru, Subramanyam expressed gratitude for Wexton's mentorship but emphasized the need for accessible representation within the community.
The former White House technology policy advisor, appointed by President Barack Obama in 2015, believes that serving in Congress will empower him to address the challenges faced by his constituents.
Reflecting on his motivation to run for Congress, Subramanyam said, "I want my kids, I've got two girls that are two and three. I want them to live in a better country and in a better world than what we found." emphasizing the importance of long-term legislative planning, regular budget funding without threats of government shutdowns, and improving the interaction between the government and the community.
Born to parents from Southern India, specifically Bengaluru and Chennai, Subramanyam's family found a new life in America, with Dulles Airport serving as their Ellis Island.
Despite trailing in fundraising compared to Democratic primary opponent Daniel Helmer, Subramanyam remains a familiar figure in the 10th Congressional District, having been elected to the State legislature since 2019. In the last quarter of 2023, he raised $255,000 from individual contributions, while Helmer led with $595,000 in fundraising during the same period.
Subramanyam's vision for Congress includes ending the influence of those prioritizing social media popularity over effective governance. He stressed the need to transfer power to individuals committed to problem-solving and eliminating the dysfunction that currently exists in Congress.