51-year-old Pramila Jayapal became the first Indian-American woman to be elected to the US House of Representatives, after winning the Washington State Senate seat. Jayapal has polled 57% of the votes from the 7th Congressional District of Washington State, defeating her rival Brady Walkinshaw, who has managed to secure only 43% votes.
Jayapal was endorsed by the Senator Bernie Sanders, the former Democratic presidential aspirant. Jayapal was running from the seventh Congressional District of Washington State that encompasses Seattle and its neighbourhood.
Jayapal, who is India-born, has made a mark with her progressive agenda in the Washington State Senate.
Pramila, 51, has spent her childhood in the Garden City, Bangalore between 1968 and 1970. At that time, her father, Jayapal Menon was working with an oil company. Her mother Maya Jayapal is an author of the 2014 book, Bangalore: Roots and Beyond.
Maya Jayapal had said that she is eager to visit the US for the swearing-in ceremony. She recalled Pramila’s love for social reforms that has lead in floating an NGO for immigration reforms in Washington DC. “She left the NGO and decided to contest for a public office. Today, I’m happy and thrilled about what she has achieved,” said Maya, a graduate from Mount Carmel College.
“She loves dining at Karavalli restaurant at The Gateway By Taj. She has promised to visit us next April,” the proud mother said.
By Premji
