Three Indian Americans are running for office in Virginia’s special election races, aiming to make an impact on local politics and expand representation for the growing Asian American community. Puja Khanna, Kannan Srinivasan, and Sreedhar Nagireddi have launched campaigns, focusing on issues relevant to their communities in Loudoun County.
Puja Khanna, a mental health advocate and business owner, is running as a Democrat for the Dulles District supervisor seat. If elected, she would be the first Asian American on the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors. Khanna will face incumbent Republican Supervisor Matthew Letourneau, known as “Metro Matt” for his support of the Silver Line extension. Letourneau has yet to officially announce his 2023 re-election plans.
Khanna, an Indian immigrant who has lived in Virginia for two decades, highlighted the need for representation that mirrors the community's diversity. "It is time for Dulles District to have representation that reflects the values and demographics of its residents," she said. The Asian Pacific Islander (AAPI) community now comprises over 20% of Loudoun’s population, according to the 2020 Census, and Khanna has expressed a commitment to addressing the unique needs of immigrant families.
Virginia House Delegate Kannan Srinivasan, another Indian American candidate, has announced his run for the 32nd Senate District seat, seeking to replace State Senator Suhas Subramanyam, who recently won a seat in the U.S. House. Srinivasan, the first Indian American immigrant elected as a Virginia Delegate, is focused on preserving the slim Democratic majority in the state Senate.
With endorsements from figures like Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger and Virginia House Speaker Don Scott, Srinivasan’s campaign emphasizes reproductive rights, healthcare, gun safety, and countering what he describes as “Trump-era extremism.” He underscored the importance of the seat, saying, “We can’t let Trump take the Virginia State Senate too.” Srinivasan’s supporters, including Scott and Subramanyam, praised his commitment to Democratic values and his proven electoral success.
Sreedhar Nagireddi, an IT professional and longtime community volunteer, is running in the Democratic primary for House District 26. Nagireddi, who works at Lockheed Martin, cited his background on state and local boards as qualifications for the role. He emphasized issues like infrastructure, transportation, education, and clean energy, aiming to ensure the voices of District 26 are represented.
Nagireddi’s community involvement includes his role as a director of the Washington, DC chapter of VT Seva, a nonprofit focusing on community service. His contributions earned him the U.S. Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for over 5,000 hours of service.
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