Washington, Dec 6: Krystle Kaul, a Kashmiri-origin Indian-American expert in foreign policy and national security, has declared her candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives from a Congressional district in Virginia. Focused on core issues such as public safety, education, and healthcare, Kaul, fluent in eight languages, aims to become only the second Indian-American woman elected to the House of Representatives, following Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal.
Both Kaul and Susheela Jayapal, running as Democrats, will compete in the party’s primary next year for the party’s nomination in the November 2024 general elections. Kaul, the first Kashmiri-origin person to run for Congress, decided to enter the race after Democratic Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton, who represented the 10th Congressional District of Virginia, announced her decision not to seek re-election.
With a background in the national security establishment, Kaul, in her late thirties, emphasized education, healthcare, and public safety as the primary focus areas for her campaign. The 10th Congressional District of Virginia includes areas with a significant concentration of Indian Americans and South Asians, such as Loudoun County, Fairfax County, and Prince William County.
In an interview, Kaul expressed her commitment to making healthcare more affordable and accessible, supporting small businesses, and ensuring safe neighborhoods, schools, and communities. With her strong stance on counter-terrorism, she plans to address national security issues. Kaul’s interest in Kashmir’s conflict stems from childhood stories shared by her father, who hails from Safapora in Kashmir.
Kaul, born and raised in Long Island, New York, has an extensive educational background, having studied diplomacy, negotiation, political science, and Sanskrit Vedic heritage. She has served in various roles in the Department of Defense, including as the Director of the Defence Threat Reduction Agency and the Director of Strategic Communications for the U.S. Air Force and NATO.
The announcement of Kaul’s congressional candidacy has garnered positive support from the Indian-American community, with organizations backing her campaign across the country.
