ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Aparna Raj brings housing, labor focus to Washington Council race
Raj says her family's experiences with economic insecurity and immigration shaped her entry into community organizing and politics.
-
Malvika Choudhary - Fri, 29, May 2026
- 17:20 EDT
- 57
Aparna Raj / aparnafordc.com
Indian-origin community organizer, tenant advocate and union member Aparna Raj is seeking a seat on the Washington D.C. council, pledging affordable housing, workers' rights, childcare and expanded public services in the U.S. capital.
Raj is running to represent Ward 1, a district in northwest Washington that includes neighborhoods such as Columbia Heights, Adams Morgan and Mount Pleasant.
Also Read: Ramaswamy outlines choice between ‘Two Ohios’ in midterms
Daughter of Indian immigrants, she has lived in Washington, D.C., for a decade and says her campaign is rooted in her experiences as a renter and worker in the city. “We shouldn't have to struggle just to get by. Our leaders need to do right by the people, not billionaires,” Raj said.
We're endorsing Aparna Raj for DC Council in Ward 1!@aparnafordc is a tenant advocate, union member, and community organizer fighting for affordable housing, childcare, workers' rights, and a government that puts people before powerful interests.
— Our Revolution (@OurRevolution) May 29, 2026
Building progressive power… pic.twitter.com/c7jNNpsQj1
According to her campaign, Raj's political engagement was shaped by her family's experiences with economic insecurity. She has spoken about her mother's struggles as a recent immigrant working minimum-wage retail jobs without paid sick leave and the financial difficulties her family faced after her father lost his job during the 2009 recession.
Raj became active in organizing through the Metro DC chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), where she worked on tenant rights, labor issues and immigrant advocacy. Her campaign says she has also supported abortion access, bodily autonomy and protections for immigrant communities.
A longtime housing advocate, Raj served on Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1A's Housing Justice and Zoning Committee. She has organized tenants in Ward 1 and across Washington, D.C., campaigning for stronger tenant protections, improved housing conditions and measures aimed at helping residents remain in their communities amid rising living costs.
Her platform includes proposals focused on affordable housing, labor rights, public transit, public education, childcare and clean energy. Campaign materials describe her vision as creating “a Council for the many, not the few.”
As a union member, Raj served on her workplace bargaining committee, helping negotiate wage increases and improved benefits. She has also supported efforts to raise the tipped minimum wage in Washington and has participated in labor actions alongside restaurant workers, bus drivers, mechanics and federal employees.
“In the face of Trump's attempts to intimidate us and scare us into silence, we need to come together and fight for all of our communities,” Raj said.
She added: “For every senior forced to live in terrible conditions, for every child going hungry, and for every family struggling to stay in DC – we can imagine a better future.”
Raj has received the endorsement of Our Revolution, a progressive political organization founded by supporters of U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders.
Announcing its backing, the group described Raj as “a tenant advocate, union member, and community organizer fighting for affordable housing, childcare, workers' rights, and a government that puts people before powerful interests.”
Raj’s campaign also highlights her volunteer work delivering groceries to seniors, tutoring local students, conducting immigrant rights training sessions and working for a nonprofit focused on food insecurity.
The Democratic primary for the Ward 1 seat is scheduled for June 16.
Discover more at New India Abroad.
Related
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
E Paper
Video
Comments
Start the conversation
Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.
Sign Up Now
Already have an account? Login