Kannan Srinivasan running for Suhas Subramanyam’s Virginia senate seat

The first Indian American immigrant to serve in the Virginia assembly, seeks to “act as a brick wall against the resurgence of Trump-era extremism”

By Arun Kumar

After the election of Democrat Suhas Subramanyam to the US house, another Indian American Democrat, Kannan Srinivasan has announced his candidacy for Virginia’s 32nd State Senate District special election to fill Subramanyam’s seat.

Srinivasan, a 25 year Loudoun resident and the first Indian American immigrant to serve in the Virginia House of Delegates, stated he’s now running “to ensure Democrats retain their single seat majority in the State Senate and act as a brick wall against the resurgence of Trump-era extremism.”

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Srinivasan, who has won his past two elections to the Virginia House District 26 with over 60% of the vote, said he has the record of electoral success Democrats are looking for at this moment.

“We can’t let Trump take the Virginia State Senate too,” he stated. “With women’s reproductive rights, common-sense gun regulations, healthcare, and our democracy under increasing Republican attacks, we have to win this special election.”

“This seat is the last thing protecting a Democratic majority in the Virginia Senate, so it is absolutely critical that MAGA extremists do not win and take Loudoun families backwards,” Srinivasan stated.

“I have a proven track record of winning elections, which is why Loudoun Democrats who know how to win elections are supporting our campaign,” he stated seeking people’s support. “Over the coming days, I look forward to earning your vote and working together to ensure Donald Trump’s hateful, divisive rhetoric does not take over Virginia.”

As Delegate, Srinivasan championed women’s reproductive rights, voting rights, healthcare, and gun violence prevention, according to his announcement.

Srinivasan has been endorsed by several Loudoun County community leaders including Loudoun Senator Russet Perry, Loudoun Delegate Marty Martinez, Loudoun Board of Supervisors Chair Phyllis Randall, Loudoun Supervisor Mike Turner, Loudoun Supervisor Laura T eKrony, Loudoun Supervisor Kristen Umstattd, Loudoun School Board Chair Melinda Mansfield and Loudoun School Board Member April Moore-Chandler.

The son of proud school teachers, Srinivasan grew up in the Tamil Nadu State in India. A Madras university graduate, he became one of the youngest individuals ever to complete the Chartered Accountant professional certification from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.

In 1992, Srinivasan immigrated to Virginia to pursue his master’s in accounting at Old Dominion University. In 1999, Srinivasan and his wife, Jayashree, made Loudoun County their home. He went on to build a successful 30-year career in finance and business analytics at NEW/Asurion and most recently with the Chef José Andrés’ restaurant group.

Subramanyam, who served as a technology policy advisor to President Barack Obama, scored a historic win in Virginia Tuesday becoming the first Indian American to be elected to the US House from the state and the entire East Coast.

Defeating Republican Mike Clancy in Virginia’s 10th Congressional District, the Democrat enlarged the Samosa caucus as the five incumbent Indian Americans — Ami Bera, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ro Khanna, Pramila Jayapal and Shri Thanedar — style themselves.