Indian-American Kesha Ram announces run for Vermont Lt. Governor

Burlington, Vt. (Diya TV) — Vermont State Rep. Kesha Ram, an Indian-American who was named in India New England New’s list of outstanding women in 2011, is looking to move forward in the next stage of her political career which was inspired by a 2006 speech by then-Senator Barack Obama in support of Bernie Sanders’ senate campaign. Ram has announced her candidacy for Lt. Governor of Vermont, the same land Senator Bernie Sanders hails from. The 29-year-old democrat has served in the Vermont legislature as a state representative for the past eight years. She hopes to harness the support of Indian Americans around the country in an effort to continue breaking barriers in her home state.

“I will be very honored to get support from and outreach to other Indian-Americans around the country,” Ram said in a statement.

“Being in Vermont, I’m not only the first Indian-American to run for an office, but also run for the office of Lieutenant Governor.”Quote Author

The youngest of three children, Ram was raised in New England’s culturally diverse communities, and a diverse home to boot — her father immigrated from India, while her mother was raised stateside in Illinois. Ram’s passion for advocacy and civic engagement were developed over the years after embracing the diversity and community service she witnessed from her parents. Ram went on to attend the University of Vermont after high school, earning a degree in political science and natural resource planning. She then continued her studies, earning her law degree at American University.

Elected in 2008 to represent Vermont’s Burlington Old North End, Hill Section, and University District, she has since served on the state house’s committees of ways and means, natural resources and energy, and housing and military affairs committees. She currently served as the public engagement specialist for the City of Burlington, working to forge a relationship between the community’s young residents and city government.

Ram has been an active member in Vermont and New England’s South Asian communities, especially in the Bhutanese and Nepali communities. Her website states she’s running for the position “to build and strengthen the economy for working families, expand access to comprehensive early and higher education, and ensure that Vermonters in every corner of our state have a strong advocate in Montpelier.”

She is currently deadlocked in a three-way race for the Democratic Party’s nomination with Brandon Riker, a Vermont businessman, political organizer and economist, and David Zuckerman, a current state senator and former state representative. The winner, who will be determined during the Aug. 9 primary this summer, will face off against Republican candidate Randy Brock, a former state senator in his own right. Additionally, Brock served at Vermont’s auditor.