Gabbard, Bera remain firm favorites.
By Deepak Chitnis
WASHINGTON, DC: The Hindu American Political Action Committee (HAPAC) has announced its list of US Congressmen and Congresswomen that it currently supports, just after India concluded its historic election cycle and just before the US races enter the bulk of the primary elections this month.
The HAPAC has voiced its support of Hawaiian Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, a Democrat who is currently the only practicing Hindu in the US Congress. Gabbard is the representative for Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District, and is the first Hindu woman ever to be elected to Congress.
On its Google Plus page, HAPAC lauded Gabbard for her resolve to protect the interest of the growing Hindu community within the US.
“She has not shied away from her Hindu faith and identity, has attending many events in the Hindu American community, has met Hindu leaders outside the US and India to share thoughts about problems worldwide, and has inspired many Hindu Americans to be proud of their identity,” said HAPAC, in a statement.
The PAC also voiced its support for California Democrat Ami Bera, currently the only Indian-origin person in the US Congress. Bera is at the head of California’s 7th Congressional District, and has spoken frequently about his desire to see more Indian Americans take an active role in politics and join him in Congress.
Bera’s wish may come true: several Indian-origin candidates have thrown their hats into the ring for the contentious 2014 midterm elections. To that end, HAPAC also announced its endorsements of a couple of candidates currently campaigning: Dr. Manan Trivedi and Swati Dandekar.
Trivedi, a Democrat, is running for Congress for the third time, after losing bids in 2010 and 2012, and hopes to represent Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District, which borders the city of Philadelphia. Dandekar is campaigning for Iowa’s 1st Congressional District, which has been almost consistently Democratic for several years, giving her a solid chance at success. If she wins, she’ll be the first woman of Indian origin ever elected to the US Congress.
HAPAC also discussed the race in California’s 17th Congressional District, which features two Indian American candidates on both sides of the aisle running against Democratic incumbent Mike Honda. Ro Khanna (Democrat) and Vanila Mathur Singh (Republican) are both Hindus, and of Indian origin, and HAPAC discussed the two candidates in its press release.
“[Khanna] has close ties with the Hindu American community and has met with and been briefed about issues of concern to Hindu Americans. We expect him to be a solid voice for the community,” said HAPAC, also pointing out that Khanna has declined to accept any money from PAC.
With regards to Singh, HAPAC said “She and her family are active in the Hindu American community and have been active volunteers with Hindu organizations. Of all the candidates, she is the most passionate and educated about Hindu issues.” HAPAC noted, however, that Singh’s chances of winning the primary are tenuous.
Other candidates that HAPAC voiced its support for include New York Democrat Joe Crowley, who has been a long-time friend of the Indian American demographic in the US, as well as California Republican Ed Royce, who is Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Other politicians who HAPAC supports are Congressmen Brad Sherman (D-CA) and Eric Swalwell (D-CA), and California State Senate Majority Leader Ellen Corbett, a Democrat).
Based here, in Washington, DC, HAPAC is “an independent, non-partisan political action committee for the Hindu American community. HAPAC’s mission is to identify and support new federal candidates or incumbents who prioritize and are committed to religious freedom, civil and human rights, and other Hindu American interests,” according to its Google Plus info page.
This post first appeared in americanbazaaronline.com