Yet another Indian-American political aspirant has plunged into this year’s US Congressional race. Dr Anil Kumar, a surgeon based in Detroit, will test his fortunes in Michigan’s 11th Congressional District as a Democratic candidate.
“I’m running for Congress because we need leaders with fresh ideas to get our State, and our economy, back on track,” said Kumar, who has practiced medicine in Metropolitan Detroit for 30 years. Kumar, who also owns a small business, has already raised a substantial $600,000 for the November electoral battle.
“People are frustrated because Washington isn’t working. Now more than ever, we need to create good-paying jobs, make education affordable, protect Social Security and Medicare, and assure healthcare is accessible to everyone,” Kumar said, adding that having grown up in a hard-working middle class family, he would bring those values to Washington.
Several other Indian-Americans have entered the Congressional race this year, including Ro Khanna from California, Upendra Chivukula from New Jersey and Manan Trivedi from Pennsylvania, in addition Ami Bera, the lone Congressman from the community, who will be seeking re-election.
Bera announced on Tuesday that his campaign is going strong, having raised nearly $1.5 million so far. “I am so grateful for the incredible continued help from our grassroots supporters who make this campaign possible,” said Bera, who represents California’s Sacramento County. Tulsi Gabbard, the first-ever Hindu Congresswoman, will also be seeking re-election from her constituency in Hawaii.