Jennifer Wexton endorses Suhas Subramanyam for Congress

Democratic US House member Jennifer Wexton has endorsed Indian American Virginia state Sen. Suhas Subramanyam in the crowded race to succeed her in Congress saying she felt Subramanyam would do the best job continuing the work she has be

“I believe Suhas is the leader for the future of the 10th District,” she stated in an announcement Monday. “He is a hardworking, principled, and effective legislator who has a long commitment to service, and is rooted right here in the heart of the district. From fighting for abortion rights and gun violence prevention to protecting our democracy, he has always taken on the tough battles in Richmond and won.”

Wexton was first elected in 2018 after winning a competitive Democratic primary election and then defeating Republican incumbent Barbara Comstock. She chose not to run for re-election this year after being diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy.

Sixteen candidates, 12 Democrats and four Republicans, are vying for the nomination in June’s primary elections.

Subramanyam said he is “honored and humbled” by the endorsement.

READ: Indian American Impact Fund endorses Suhas Subramanyam (January 8, 2024)

“I’ve always tried to be the champion for Loudoun in the General Assembly, but Jennifer Wexton has been our champion in Congress and has really been a mentor and friend and has really done so much for our community,” he said drawing similarities between them both as parents who care about the future of Loudoun where their children will grow up.

“I really feel like I’m the best person to continue the incredible legacy that she’s leaving behind,” Subramanyam said.

Subramanyam was elected to the House of Delegates in 2020 where he represented the 87th District. In November 2023, he won election to the House of Representatives.

Prior to that he worked as a White House advisor under former President Barack Obama’s administration, a Capitol Hill staffer and volunteered in Loudoun as a firefighter and EMT.

The 10th District race is expected to be among the more competitive ones in Virginia this year. Anchored in Loudoun County and stretching into Prince William and Fairfax counties, the district has grown increasingly blue as those localities have boomed in population.

Watch an “On The Trail” interview with Suhas Subramanyam by Aziz Haniffa

The seat also includes more rural territory in Fauquier and Rappahannock counties, and Republicans hope the lack of an incumbent can allow them to flip it back to Republican control.

READ: Suhas Subramanyam vows to keep defending reproductive rights (December 24, 2023)

Political analysts have identified Subramanyam and three others — state Del. Dan Helmer (Fairfax), former state House speaker Eileen Filler-Corn (Fairfax) and state Sen. Jennifer B. Boysko (Fairfax) — as the four candidates best positioned to win the Democratic nomination, given their broad name recognition or how much money they have raised.

Wexton is the latest in several key endorsements for Subramanyam, including Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, Senator Russet Perry, Virginia Senate President Pro Tempore Senator L. Louise Lucas, Loudoun County Supervisor Laura Tekrony, and Loudoun County School Board Chair Melinda Mansfield.

Subramanyam is also supported by Asian American Action Fund and Indian American Impact Fund. Ahead of the June 18 Virginia primary, The Impact Fund is launching a $250,000 mail campaign to bolster Subramanyam for Congress in VA-10.

If elected in November, Suhas would represent a district with more than 65,000 South Asian residents, ranking among the nation’s top ten concentrations.

Over the next five weeks, The Impact Fund will distribute several pieces of mail to 90,000 likely voters — more than 20,000 of whom are South Asian– highlighting Suhas’s distinguished record of legislative results and ability to take on MAGA extremism, according to a press release.

“We’re thrilled to support Suhas Subramanyam for Congress in Virginia,” Chintan Patel, The Impact Fund’s Executive Director, stated. “Drawing from his accomplishments and service in this district as both a state representative and state senator, Suhas’s steadfast commitments to protecting abortion rights, strengthening gun controls, and investing in world-class education resonates deeply with South Asian communities.”

“We’re excited to support his campaign in the weeks ahead, confident that his skills as an effective legislator and commitment to public service and Democratic values will positively impact the lives of all Virginians.”