PHILADELPHIA (Diya TV) — Illinois-based Indian-American businessman Raja Krishnamoorthi, who is currently a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, will be introduced at Wednesday’s Democratic National Convention as one of the party’s emerging leaders.
Krishnamoorthi and Stephanie Murphy from Florida are the only two congressional candidates who have been invited to take centerstage at the DNC. Krishnamoorthi won his primary election back in March in his home state, and was endorsed by President Obama last month.
“As the son of immigrants who worked their way into the middle-class, Raja understands both the challenges facing America’s working families and the opportunities their work make possible,” Obama said in his endorsement.
He has additionally been endorsed by top Democrats such as Nancy Pelosi, former Speaker of the House.
Krishnamoorthi is preparing to square off against Republican Peter DiCianni in November’s general election — considered a heavy favorite for election, he has raised $1.6 million more in campaign funds than his closest opponent. DiCianni ran unopposed in March’s Republican primary. If elected, Krishnamoorthi would join fellow Indian-American Ami Bera, D-CA, in Congress beginning Jan. 2017.
The 42-year-old was born in Delhi and grew up in Peoria, Illinois. He served as policy director of President Obama’s 2004 Senate campaign, as well as deputy treasurer of Illinois from 2007 through 2009. In 2010, he ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination of Illinois State Comptroller, losing to David E. Miller by less than one percent of the vote.
Krishnamoorthi is the co-founder of InSPIRE, a non-profit organization that provides training to Illinois students and veterans in solar technology and was formerly Vice-Chairman of the Illinois Innovation Council, whose mission is to promote innovative technologies that support economic growth and job creation in Illinois.
“I am someone who believes very much in entrepreneurship and helping small businesses to grow because I believe that they are at the heart of economy,” he was quoted as saying earlier this year.
The eighth Congressional district has a strong presence of Asian-Americans with a sizable population of Indian-Americans.
