House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi Endorses Raja for Congress

The first woman Speaker in history and top Democrat in the U.S. House is backing Raja Krishnamoorthi in the Democratic primary for the 8th Congressional District of Illinois.

“I strongly endorse Raja Krishnamoorthi because he is a true progressive and the best candidate to represent working families in Chicago’s Northwest suburbs,” said House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi.

“Raja will bring to Congress a tireless work ethic and deep experience in the public and private sectors,” Pelosi said. “These qualities will enable him to pursue our common goal of fighting for progressive causes and strengthening and growing our middle class.”

The son of immigrants, Raja grew up in Illinois. After college and law school, he became policy director for Barack Obama’s successful U.S. Senate campaign. He also served as a founding prosecutor in Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s anti-corruption unit.

“I am thrilled to receive the support of the leader of Democrats in Congress,” said Raja. “Nancy Pelosi has led the battle to enact President Obama’s agenda – from enacting policies to promote the middle class to protecting women’s reproductive rights and fighting climate change.”

“I am humbled that she believes I am the best candidate to hold the 8th District seat for Democrats and build on the strong, progressive record of Tammy Duckworth,” he said.

A lifelong progressive, Raja is running for Congress to stand up for compassionate immigration reform, real action on climate change, equal pay for women, a more level playing field for the middle class and sane gun laws. He is committed to fighting attempts by the Republican Congress to cut the Social Security and Medicare benefits his parents and millions of other Americans rely on.

Pelosi’s endorsement continues Raja’s strong momentum with less than 100 days left until the March 15 election. Pelosi joins over 100 leaders and organizations endorsing Raja. Earlier this year, Raja earned the support of Former Senior Advisor to President Obama David Axelrod and Rep. Jan Schakowsky, along with the Illinois State Council of Machinists, International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 2 and Illinois Letter Carriers President Ken Christy.

Raja Krishnamoorthi currently serves as President of Sivananthan Labs and Episolar, Inc., small businesses that sell products in the national security and renewable energy industries. He is a co-founder of InSPIRE, a non-profit organization that provides training to Illinois students and veterans in solar technology, and was formerly Vice-Chairman of the Illinois Innovation Council, whose mission is to promote innovative technologies that support economic growth and job creation in Illinois. Raja resides in Schaumburg with his wife, Priya, and their two sons.