Raja Krishnamoorthi

Raja Krishnamoorthi is an American politician serving as the U.S. Representative for Illinois's 8th congressional district, which includes Schaumburg, Illinois, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, Hanover Park, Illinois, and parts of Elk Grove Village, Illinois and Palatine, Illinois. He is a member of the Democratic Party and has been endorsed by organizations such as the Sierra Club, Planned Parenthood, and the Human Rights Campaign. Krishnamoorthi has also been supported by prominent politicians, including Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and Nancy Pelosi. His campaign has focused on issues like climate change, healthcare reform, and economic inequality, which are also key concerns for organizations like the American Medical Association, National Education Association, and the Service Employees International Union.

● Early Life and Education

Raja Krishnamoorthi was born in New Delhi, India, to Tamil parents, and his family moved to New York City when he was a young child. He grew up in Peoria, Illinois, and later attended Princeton University, where he graduated magna cum laude with a degree in mechanical engineering and a certificate in public policy from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. During his time at Princeton, he was involved with the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. After college, Krishnamoorthi attended Harvard Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree and was a member of the Harvard Law Review. He has also been involved with the American Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, and the Chicago Bar Association.

● Career

Before entering politics, Raja Krishnamoorthi worked as a prosecutor in the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, where he prosecuted felony cases and worked with organizations like the National District Attorneys Association and the Illinois Prosecutors Association. He later became a partner at the law firm Kirkland & Ellis, where he worked on cases involving intellectual property and securities law, often collaborating with the Federal Trade Commission, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Krishnamoorthi has also been involved with the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, the Economic Club of Chicago, and the Commercial Club of Chicago. In 2012, he ran for the Illinois Senate, but lost to Mike Noland. He was later appointed by Pat Quinn to serve on the Illinois Innovation Council, which aimed to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the state, working with organizations like the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

● U.S. House of Representatives

Raja Krishnamoorthi was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2016, defeating Pete DiCianni in the general election. He has served on the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, the House Committee on Small Business, and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, where he has worked with colleagues like Elijah Cummings, Carolyn Maloney, and Zoe Lofgren. Krishnamoorthi has also been a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, the New Democrat Coalition, and the Blue Dog Coalition, and has worked with organizations like the Center for American Progress, the Brookings Institution, and the Urban Institute. He has been endorsed by politicians like Kamala Harris, Cory Booker, and Elizabeth Warren, and has received support from organizations like the League of Conservation Voters, the National Organization for Women, and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

● Policy Positions

Raja Krishnamoorthi has taken positions on a range of issues, including climate change, healthcare reform, and economic inequality. He has supported legislation like the Green New Deal, the Medicare for All Act, and the Raise the Wage Act, which are also backed by organizations like the Sierra Club, Planned Parenthood, and the Service Employees International Union. Krishnamoorthi has also been a strong supporter of immigration reform, including a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, and has worked with organizations like the American Immigration Lawyers Association and the National Immigration Law Center. He has also been a vocal critic of gun violence and has supported legislation like the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, which is also backed by organizations like the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and the Everytown for Gun Safety.

● Personal Life

Raja Krishnamoorthi is married to Priya Krishnamoorthi, and they have two sons, Vijay Krishnamoorthi and Srikanth Krishnamoorthi. He is a Hindu and has spoken about the importance of his faith in his life. Krishnamoorthi has also been involved with the Hindu American Foundation, the Indian American Leadership Initiative, and the Asian American Action Fund. He has received awards from organizations like the National Association of Asian American Professionals, the Asian American Bar Association of Chicago, and the Indian American Bar Association of Chicago. Krishnamoorthi has also been recognized by politicians like Dianne Feinstein, Dick Durbin, and Tammy Duckworth, and has worked with organizations like the American Red Cross, the United Way, and the Salvation Army.