ABOUT ASH KALRA
Article before th Elections by Sam Rao

San Jose, California: With every election cycle, as the Indian American community comes of age in the USA, more and more participation can be seen in all fields including the political arena.

With about 210,000 Indian-Americans spread across the SF Bay area, the numbers do not add up to field a candidate focused only on issues pertaining to Indian-Americans.  Realizing this real politik, better qualified candidates have thrown their hats in the ring and are stumping across all communities, canvassing for votes among peers who share their stands.

Ash Kalra (36), a dynamic second generation attorney is one such candidate. Kalra is running for the vacant seat of City council member in District 2 in  the city of San Jose. The elections are slated for June 3 in the district which encompasses the Santa Teresa Blvd., Cottle Road area in San Jose

Kalra, 36, works as an attorney for the Santa Clara County Public Defender's Office representing indigent clients in Drug Court. The focus of the court is to serve those in the community suffering from addiction and help them get back on their feet as contributing members of society. Additionally, Kalra currently serves as the Chairperson of the San Jose Planning Commission.

Ash moved to California with his family in 1978 and has stayed in the same neighborhood even after he bought his own house. Kalra has taught as a part-time professor at San Jose State University and currently is a professor at Lincoln Law School of San Jose. Ash has served numerous non-profit organizations as a member of their board of directors, including the Bar Association of Santa Clara County, Asian Law Alliance, South Asian Bar Association and Fresh Lifelines for Youth. Ash currently serves on the Board of Directors for the African Community Health Institute, Somos Mayfair, and the Santa Teresa Foothills Neighborhood Association. He is also a member of the San Jose Rotary Club, through which he volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and works with the Santa Teresa High School Interact Club.

At a recent fundraiser for Kalra, organized by Anil Sood, long standing resident of the SF Bay area, nearly 70 people gathered to show their support for Kalra and raise about $4,000 for his campaign.

Supporter Amarjeet Singh of Sunnyvale said,”Ash Kalra comes across as a dynamic, enthusiastic community leader with a clear vision of public leadership. That is why I aim to support him and help spread his message.”

Kalra who has lived in the area for over 30 years and attended local schools and colleges has reached out to the entire diverse community in his ward. He has also made it a point to make several visits to large Indian gatherings and also has received tremendous support from the non-Indian community as well. He has a host of endorsements including San Jose Firefighters, San Jose Police Officers Association, The Sierra Club, Oak Grove Educators Association, East side Teachers Association, Santa Clara democratic party and a host of elected officials including San Jose Councilmember Sam Liccardo; Kansen Chu; Forrest Williams, Nora Campos  and Nancy Pyle. San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris and Balbir Dhillon, San Jose/Evergreen Community College District Trustee have also endorsed Ash Kalra long with a host of State level officials.

At the fundraiser hosted by Anil Sood and friends, Kalra raised about $4,000 and, following his presentation and credentials, Kalra gathered a lot more support and commitment including at least two more fundraisers by community activist Mohinder Singh Mann and community leader and attorney Ashwini Bhakri coming up in the near future.

Kalra said, “I am pleased with the outpouring of support from the Indian-American community, who I intend to represent as well as all my constituents in the district 2. With collective action and cooperation, we can bring the concerns and vision of the District 2 community to City Hall. I am proud to take the opportunity to be your voice and humbly accept the heavy responsibilities that come with such an undertaking.”

Supporter Amarjeet Singh added, “ Ash has a definite chance of being elected and with a little more push and campaign support like posting yard signs, posters and spreading the word from volunteers of any age group, Ash Kalra should be the first Indian-American in th San Joe City council.”

The city of San Jose, one of the earliest towns in the State of California has an estimated population of 3 million with a wide range of ethnicities in its constituency. The district ward represented by Kalra encompasses areas of  Santa Teresa Blvd. and Cottle Road and parts of Branham and Snell area. The race for City council is a non-partisan race, as candidates do not declare their political affiliations, although endorsements can be sought from them.