The Indian American (IA) Impact, a national organization focused on strengthening political representation for Indian and South Asian American communities, has endorsed Vichal Kumar, a public defender and Democratic candidate for New York’s 7th Congressional District.
“Vichal has spent more than twenty years as a public defender standing up for immigrant families, working people, and communities that too often do not have their interests represented in Congress,” Executive Director of Indian American Impact, Chintan Patel, said in a statement. “Indian and South Asian Americans are stepping up to build political power at every level of government, and Vichal’s candidacy in New York’s 7th District is an integral part of that story. We are proud to endorse him.”
According to the organization, Indian American Impact works to support and elect Indian and South Asian American candidates at all levels of government and has backed successful campaigns for Congress, statewide offices, and local government positions across the country.
“My parents came to this country and built a life behind the counter of a convenience store, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week, and never once stopped looking out for their neighbors,” Kumar said. “That is the South Asian story in Brooklyn and Queens: families who work, sacrifice, and serve their communities, and who deserve a government that fights as hard for them as they fight for each other. I am honored to have Impact in this fight with us.”
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The endorsement adds to a growing list of support from South Asian community organizations. According to the statement, Hindus for Human Rights Action endorsed Kumar in May and hosted a canvassing event on June 6. South Asians for America endorsed his campaign in April and organized a postcard-writing event in Queens with first-generation voters on April 22.
New York’s primary election is scheduled for June 23, with early voting taking place from June 13 through June 21.
