Suhas Subramanyam has a connection to India’s Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad as his Indian-American parents stayed in these cities.Suhas, on the other hand, was born in Houston. He made history as the first Indian-American, South Asian, and Hindu elected to the Virginia General Assembly in 2019 and to the Virginia State Senate in 2023. His run for the US House of Representatives marks another significant milestone, especially given the sizable Indian-American population in Virginia’s 10th Congressional District.
Subramanyam’s parents migrated to the US seeking a new life and career opportunities. “My parents are from Bengaluru and Chennai and spent some time in Secunderabad as well. They came here because they wanted to start a new life here. They wanted to be physicians and you can make a great life in America as a physician,” Suhas said. He appreciates the value of education and hard work, attributes that he believes were crucial in his parents’ success.
“They didn’t have much when they came here, but they became successful through education and hard work,” he added. Subramanyam is driven by a desire to ensure that everyone has the same opportunities his parents had. “I want to make sure that everyone has a chance at that American dream. Everyone has a chance of creating a great business if that’s what they want to do or being a part of a great business and that they can empower themselves economically,” he said.
Subramanyam’s commitment to public service is evidenced by his previous tenure as a White House technology policy advisor, a role he was appointed to by then-President Barack Obama in 2015. The endorsement from the incumbent US Representative Jennifer Wexton boosted his campaign, signaling strong support from established lawmakers within the Democratic Party.
In discussing his motivations for running for Congress, Suhas Subramanyam emphasized the long-term perspective he brings to the role. “The Congress is here to solve problems and to be proactive about the future. We should not be legislating not just for the next two years, but for the next 20 or 30 years. I want my children — I’ve got two girls who are two and three — I want them to live in a better country and in a better world than what we found,” he said.
He stressed the importance of education as an equalizer, enabling individuals to improve their circumstances through dedication and hard work. “It really started with the fact that our community education is the great equalizer, and you can lift yourself up from any situation if you do well and study hard and work hard. I want to make sure that stays the same way,” he concluded.
Suhas Subramanyam’s victory in the primary is a testament to his commitment to public service and his vision for a better America. As he moves towards the general election, his focus remains on creating opportunities for all and maintaining the educational pathways that empowered his own family. Subramanyam’s journey from a dedicated technology policy advisor to a candidate for the US House of Representatives highlights his readiness to tackle the challenges ahead and work towards a prosperous future for all Americans.
(With PTI inputs)
