CHICAGO: With hefty endorsements from top brass Illinois politicians and community leaders across Chicago land, Raja Krishnamoorthi is all set to win Democratic nomination for the US 8the District Congressional seat.
His rival is State Senator Michael Noland and according to recent polls, Raja is ahead of Nolan with a double digit lead. Among the hefty endorsements, Raja has support from US Senator Dick Durbin and Congresswoman Tami Duckworth who currently represents the 8 the District.
A large number of political and community leaders are backing Raja’s candidacy and so also U.S. House Democratic Whip Rep. Steny Hoyer (MD-5), the Daily Herald, the largest suburban newspaper in the Chicago area, Sierra Club, the nation’s largest grassroots environmental group, the Transport Workers Union (TWU), the Independent Voters of Illinois -Independent Precinct Organization (IVI-IPO), a good government group and prominent progressive organization, Citizen Action/Illinois, the state’s largest public interest organization. Barring unforeseen developments, Raja has virtually bagged the March 15 Democratic nomination
Raja Krishnamoorthi has dedicated his life to serve the community and is fighting relentlessly to serve most vulnerable citizens, said Balwinder Singh, a Sikh community leader. Among other Sikh leaders, Happy Singh, Harjinder Khaira, Thakar Basati have blessed Raja candidacy. Basati, a Member of Greater Palatine Democrats, said that Raja is mighty qualified and he knows the problems faced by the average citizen as he has come up from this group with his own efforts and will. Rajinder Singh Mago of Sikh Religious Society said that Raja Krishnamoorthi is a highly qualified candidate with government experience. He has a very pleasant personality and obviously perseverance and has a real shot this time, he added.
Vinesh Virani, a community activist and a close supporter, mentioned that Raja has deep understanding of the problems faced by immigrant community and senior citizens. He is a big advocate of minority groups and works against hate crimes. “We do expect him to take our problems to the Congress once he gets elected. He will be the first Asian American to get elected from Illinois to Congress and we expect that he strives hard to work closely with the State government to ensure that the big corporations do not leave Illinois and that more and more jobs are created in the State.
Sunil Shah, founder President of the Federation of Indian Associations, said that “he is going to be our voice by representing us in Washington and will address our concerns relating to quality education, quality health care, better economy, protect social security and Medicare, rebuild America’s infrastructure and take up several other burning issues. I support him and urge all others to do the same not only looking to which party he represents but also his individual qualities and strength”.
Raja’s brother, Ram, observed that the journey has just begun. “We South Asians need to fight hard for representation and also to contribute to this great society that has given us so much. Let us not get too complacent and comfortable with this success. We *Must* get our community to go Vote, to make our voice heard,” he said. Ram also mentioned about creating awareness about Vote by Mail and early Voting which starts Feb 29.
Jitendra Digvenkar, a front ranking community activist and an ardent supporter of Raja, said that “our community irrespective of caste, creed language and religion is solidly behind Raja and his victory would ensure that the best person is elected for the job.”Digvenkar who is also a member of IADO Director Board said that his organization is also supporting Raja’s bid for Congress.
A large number of Muslim community members have also extended their support to Raja and one of the most prominent leaders, Iftekhar Shareef, former president and Trustee of FIA Chicago, wholeheartedly extended his support to Raja.
He is also one of the organizers for a fundraiser for Raja. He believes that Raja’s entry into US Congress would infuse fresh air in this august body besides helping the Asian community to voice their grievances at the highest level.
Dr Anuja Gupta, a cardiologist from Frankfort, Illinois, said that her group was excited that a well qualified and well educated Indian American is seeking a Congressional seat and she assured all possible support to his candidacy. She indicated that she and her group would hold a one to one meeting with Raja to elicit his views on many issues besides assuring their support.
Dr Gupta is setting up a multimillion dollar senior housing complex in Chicagoland – Hanover Park – and she feels that Raja”s ascendancy would help Indian seniors to get their problems articulated with the concerned authorities.
Raja Krishnamoorthi, 42, son of Indian immigrants to the US, is running for Congress on a progressive platform that includes protecting Social Security and Medicare, passing common-sense gun laws and addressing the threat of climate change. He believes that growing economic inequality among Americans is shrinking the middle-class on which our democracy depends.
He strongly believes striving for equal pay for equal work, paid sick and maternity leave, and raising the federal minimum wage. Raja is also a staunch defender of women’s reproductive freedom.
Starting from humble roots in Peoria, Illinois, Raja attended public schools there. He later won scholarships and took out loans to attend college and law school.He earned his bachelor’s degree summa cum laude in mechanical engineering from Princeton University and graduated with honors from Harvard Law School.
Raja served as issues director for Barack Obama’s successful 2004 campaign for the US Senate. Later, Raja was appointed by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan to serve as a Special Assistant Attorney General in her newly formed Public Integrity Unit to root out corruption. He also served for two years as Illinois Deputy Treasurer.
Currently a small businessman, Raja serves as president of Sivananthan Labs and Episolar, Inc., small businesses in the Chicago suburbs.
He is a co-founder of InSPIRE, a non-profit organization that provides training in solar technology to inner-city students. Raja and his family place a high priority on the value of education.
His father is a professor of engineering at Bradley University in Peoria. His brother is a doctor who treated veterans at the VA and now provides care to inner-city children and families in Chicago. Raja is married to Priya, a doctor, who practices at local hospitals.
Surendra Ullal & Ramesh Soparawala
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