Indian American Pramila Jayapal has won the open primary for the 7th Congressional District in the State of Washington held on Tuesday and could make history as the first woman from the community to enter the U.S Congress if she wins the November general election.
Ms. Jayapal, a Chennai-born Malayali, came to the U.S in 1982 as a student. After a stint on the Wall Street, she drifted into politics through her campaigns for the rights of women and immigrants. Currently a member of the State Senate, she has spearheaded legislation favouring workers and immigrants, and expanding voting rights. She was one of the first Congressional candidates to be endorsed by Senator Bernie Sanders. Ms. Jayapal represents the more progressive stream within the Democratic Party and has been endorsed by an array of women’s groups and labour unions.
Washington has a ‘top-two primary’ system – i.e, all candidates run, and the top two candidates in the primary, regardless of party affiliation, move on to the general election. District 7 is predominantly Democratic and all her four challengers in the primary were from within the party. In November she will face Joe McDermott or Brady Walkinshaw, who were locked in a close battle for the second spot, according to latest reports.
“We’re building a movement that can clearly stake out a positive vision for the future of America at a time when too many people feel cynical about change, and when too many people are struggling to make ends meet and put food on the table,” Ms. Jayapal said after the results.
“Pramila… is not afraid to take on powerful special interests. She’s fought for immigrant rights, opposed the war in Iraq, and worked to protect Social Security. She’s also running her campaign with our political revolution,” Mr. Sanders had said in an e-mail to donors during her primaries campaign.
