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Rishi Kumar faces tough competition for Northern California congressional seat
The race to replace retiring Congresswoman Anna Eshoo heated up as California state Assemblymember Evan Low launched his bid for the seat.
The Indian American is vying for longtime Congresswoman Anna Eshoo's seat / Rishi Kumar
SARATOGA, California — Businessman turned politician Rishi Kumar is facing stiff competition in his race to capture California’s 16th District Congressional seat, in the heart of the Silicon Valley.
The seat is currently held by longtime Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, who announced her retirement last fall. Eshoo, and fellow Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, have been strong proponents of expanding the H-1B program to attract more skilled labor from India and China.
The race to replace Eshoo heated up as California state Assemblyman Evan Low announced his bid for the seat in November. Low chairs the AAPI Legislative Caucus, which — in 2020 — spearheaded legislation to combat anti Asian American hate crimes. Since March of 2020, the web portal Stop AAPI Hate has logged more than 11,500 hate crimes or incidents.
Low has received the endorsement of fellow Democrat Rep. Ro Khanna, who said, “Evan was born and raised here in the Silicon Valley, and he’s dedicated his career to serving the diverse families that call it home. In the Assembly, he’s been at the forefront of bridging the gap between technology, innovation, and public policy, building a greener economy and fighting for fundamental human rights.”
Sam Liccardo, former mayor of San Jose, California, and Joe Simitian, who serves on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, are also contesting for Eshoo’s seat.
In an interview with New India Abroad, Kumar, a Democrat who ran against fellow Democrat Eshoo in 2020 and 2022, noted that he received 42.3% of the votes in 2022. “This was historic and unprecedented: no challenger ever in the history of this seat had received such support.”
“My wide-ranging support reflects my deep-seated tech background as a current C-suite executive in Silicon Valley's high-tech sector, and importantly, as someone who is not a career politician. The economy has shifted, and recent breakthroughs in artificial intelligence automation (and its corresponding efficiencies and emerging issues) present us with a future that is sure to be vastly different from our present. Tech workers and investors are leaving Silicon Valley, and workers in all sectors are suffering. More than ever, our congressional district needs a diligent and knowledgeable hand at the wheel,” he said.
Kumar is campaigning on a platform to grow the US economy, bringing jobs back to the US, and restoring supply chain integrity. “I want to ensure that our innovation economy thrives as the world's innovation hub,” he said, noting that he brings an “insider’s perspective that is crucial for steering Silicon Valley towards a prosperous future.”
“Today, we are faced with pressing quality of life issues such as crime, housing, traffic, and water scarcity, yet there seems to be no clear vision plan for the future,” said Kumar, who formerly served on the Saratoga City Council. “Our one-dimensional approach fails to harness the full potential of Silicon Valley's innovative spirit and risks stagnating our progress,” he said.
“The Silicon Valley economy, a global icon of innovation and progress, cannot be taken for granted. It requires leaders who understand its pulse, who can navigate its complexities, and who are willing to break free from conventional political rhetoric. It demands a shift from politics-as-usual to a more dynamic, forward-thinking governance that aligns with the ethos of Silicon Valley itself,” said Kumar.
California voters head to primary elections on March 5, 2024. The state’s system is unique: the top two vote-getters from either party will advance to the general election. In this race, it is likely that two Democrats will challenge each other in the general election, as no significant Republican challenger has emerged.
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