Page 18 - The Indian EYE 081222

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline AUGUST 12, 2022 | The Indian Eye 18

Padma Kuppa, Shri Thanedar & Dimple Ajmera make big impact with impressive wins

Pramila Jayapal Manka Dhingra Vandana Slatter

field, according to unofficial results. try establishes immeasurable progress Ohio state’s 11th House district and Her parents immigrated to the
“In November, he will face Re- in our battle to expand Indian Ameri- Priya Sundareshan for the state Sen- US from India when she was just 16
publican Martell Bivings, who has can representation within our elected ate from the 18th district in Arizona. with almost no resources and she cred-
worked as a liaison with the Detroit government,” the organization said. In yet another electoral success, its them for instilling in her the values
Economic Growth Corporation and “Thanedar’s primary win is a his- Indian-American Dimple Ajmera was of hard work, education, and giving
ran unopposed in the Republican toric first for the South Asian com- re-elected as councillor of Charlotte, back to the community. “My goals
primary. But in this solidly Democrat- munity. We congratulate him and his North Carolina city council, a position for Charlotte are driving an equitable
ic-leaning district, Thanedar is consid- campaign manager, Linto Thomas, that she has held since 2017. Ajmera, city with safe sustainable neighbor-
ered almost certain to win,” the media for executing a powerful campaign the first Indian-American and the hoods with job opportunities, efficient
report said. and moving forward his candidacy youngest woman on the Charlotte city transportation, public safety, women’s
Indian American Impact, an or- for Congressman in Detroit, Michi- council, defeated fellow Democrat equality and economic development,”
ganization that focuses on the Indi- gan,” Neil Makhija, Indian-American Braxton Winston. Ajmera said.
an American and South Asian com- Impact executive director, said. He
munity, said that despite SuperPACs added that as a politically underrep-
spending over USD 6.5 million in an resented and under-engaged commu-
unprecedented financial push to keep nity, Indian-Americans nationwide
Thanedar off the November ballot, he were celebrating the victory.
and his campaign manager- former “Every seemingly small win
Indian American Impact political di- throughout the country establishes
rector, Linto Thomas- were successful immeasurable progress in our battle
in securing Thanedar’s victory over to expand Indian-American represen-
the Detroit area. It said Thanedar’s tation within our elected government.
victory is one of many to come for What happens in primaries over the
AAPI candidates campaigning na- course of this year matters, and the
tionwide to bolster support and repre- work we do to elect politicians that
sentation for their community. look and think like us creates the foun-
Neil Makhija, Indian American dation necessary for our community
Impact Executive Director, said that to participate in conversations we’ve
Mr Thanedar’s primary win is a “his- been excluded from for far too long.”
toric first for the South Asian commu- In Washington state, Democratic
nity.” Mr Makhija congratulated Mr Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal won
Thanedar and his campaign manag- the primary; while in the state prima-
er Thomas, for executing a powerful ries state Senator Manka Dhingra and
campaign and moving forward his state Representative Vandana Slatter
candidacy for Congressman in De- moved on to the November elections.
troit, Michigan. Other Indian-Americans who
“As a politically underrepresent- were successful in the Democratic
ed and under-engaged community, primaries were state representative
Indian Americans nationwide are Ranjeev Puri and Sam Singh and Ai-
celebrating Shri’s victory. Every seem- sha Farooqi for state Senate and state
ingly small win throughout the coun- House, in Michigan; Anita Somani for

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