CHICAGO: Larry Kaifesh, a 43-year-old marine reserve colonel deployed three times to Iraq and twice to Afghanistan, now seeks to go to Washington to repair economy, overhaul immigration laws and health care reform. He first seeks Republican nomination for the 8th District this month and then defeat incumbent Tammy Duckworth in the final round end year.
A highly respected marine for his commitment, honesty and selfless service to the country and community is slowly emerging a viable Republican candidate who can defeat Tammy and wrest the 9th District seat for the Republican Party. The 8th District covers parts of Cook, DuPage, Lake and Kane Counties in northeastern Illinois.
Kaifesh surprisingly has drawn good support not only among Americans but also from Indian Americans and other minority groups for his unstinted support to immigration overhaul, health care reforms and ending discrimination at workplaces, says Nimesh Jain, an elected official and a front ranking Indian community activist from Schaumburg.
In a talk to this paper, Kaifesh maintained that his was a fight for principle, and good, responsible government at all levels, including one in Washington, that would govern less and provide bigger platform for grassroots public initiatives. “I want to end reckless government spending and cut taxes as this would lead to trimming of deficit and revive economy and create more jobs. Besides, I want to ensure that the benefits percolate to all sections of the community with special emphasis on minorities,” he said.
Kaifesh has huge regard for Indian Americans for their business acumen, work ethics, family values, extra emphasis on education and commitment to society. He also has a special place for India in his heart as he was deployed to Afghanistan as US Marine and had worked there for over three years. He watched India closely and was awed by its democratic traditions and great culture. He felt that the largest democracy and one of the oldest democracies need to work together for the good of global peace and progress.
Kaifesh felt that America should not leave Afghanistan in haste and would help work out smooth transition for Karzai government; otherwise it would be taken over by Taliban whom it fought a decade ago. “We need to be there for a while as otherwise there would be a vacuum. Taliban have sizeable support among the Afghan people as they are Pushtuns but at the same time they do not want old days to return.”
He was in Iraq thrice and is of the opinion that though the exit of Saddam Hussain is welcomed by most Iraqis, the sectarian war raging there could destroy the social and economic structure. Presence of Americans, even on limited scale, could be a factor in easing conflict between Shiyas and Sunnis. It is significant to note that Iraq has increased its oil production despite sectarian war and this is indicative of the fact that much more can be achieved with the relative peace in the region. “America has a role to play there,” he said.
Touching upon drone strikes and the general resentment among the people affected by the strikes, he felt that it was important to contain Taliban influence and Taliban militancy. The research of late would make the strike more precise and target oriented and much of the criticism would go away, he observed.
Kaifesh said that his military background would help him in a race against incumbent Democrat Tammy Duckworth, an Asian American veteran who lost both legs in Iraq. Businesswoman Manju Goel , the other candidate in the Republican primary, maintains that her Asian-American heritage will help her topple Duckworth. The Indian American Republican Organization has endorsed Kaifesh in the 8th District primary.
Surendra Ullal
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