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Three Indian Americans vie for key seats in special elections
Voters in Senate District 32 and House District 26 will head to the polls, with the outcomes potentially influencing party control in the Virginia State Senate and House of Delegates.
Kannan Srinivasan, JJ Singh, and Ram Venkatachalam. / Facebook
Loudoun County and central Virginia are hosting critical special elections on Jan.7 as three Indian Americans—Kannan Srinivasan, JJ Singh, and Ram Venkatachalam—are vying for separate seats. This election fills vacancies left by the November polls, with key positions up for grabs. The results could have implications for the balance of power in Virginia's legislature, where Republicans are eyeing opportunities to make gains in the state Senate and House.
Kannan Srinivasan's bid for State Senate
Kannan Srinivasan, a former delegate for Loudoun County, is vying for a seat in its state Senate in the special election. Srinivasan made history as the first Indian immigrant elected to the House of Delegates in Virginia and is now seeking to represent the state at a higher level.
With a background in business analysis, he has focused on issues such as mental health, fentanyl addiction, consumer protection, and courthouse efficiency during his tenure.
His involvement in politics was sparked after a personal experience in graduate school when he was struck by a truck and denied Medicaid coverage, which led to his appointment to the state Medicaid board by former Democratic governors.
Srinivasan faces Tumay Harding, a vocal critic of Loudoun's school system, in the race. The election is expected to be competitive, with Srinivasan emphasizing his work in addressing key public health and social issues.
JJ Singh: A Democrat for House of Delegates
JJ Singh is running for the House of Delegates to fill the seat vacated by Srinivasan. A member of the local business community, Singh is the president of Retreat Hotels and Resorts and has a history of working on economic policy, including serving as an adviser to Senator Chris Coons (D-Delaware).
The son of Indian immigrants, Singh made history as the first turbaned Sikh to serve in the Peace Corps and has worked at the White House Office of Management and Budget during the Obama administration. His platform centers around protecting abortion rights, tightening gun laws, combating climate change, and lowering everyday costs such as groceries and education.
Singh’s opponent, Ram Venkatachalam, a Republican IT consultant, is focused on issues like lower taxes, public safety, and economic opportunity. Venkatachalam previously ran for a seat on the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors in 2023 and continues to advocate for a more conservative approach to public policy.
Ram Venkatachalam: A Republican contender
Ram Venkatachalam, a Republican candidate for the House of Delegates, brings a background in IT consulting and public service to his campaign. Venkatachalam, who emigrated from India after earning degrees in computer science, has worked with Deloitte and served on local boards, including the Loudoun County transit advisory panel. His focus is on fiscal responsibility, including lower taxes and improving public education, while steering clear of national social issues.
Venkatachalam's campaign emphasizes economic opportunity and public safety, as well as the importance of quality education for all children. His race against Singh reflects the contrasting political ideologies at play in this special election, with both candidates vying for the opportunity to represent Loudoun County in the state legislature.
These elections come at a pivotal time for Virginia's political landscape, as the state prepares for its next General Assembly session. With both parties hoping to make significant gains, the outcome of vote could set the stage for future legislative battles.
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