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Rakhi Israni prioritizes youth mental health in CD-14
Rakhi Israni highlights youth mental health, AI workforce readiness and affordability as key priorities in her CA-14 campaign.
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Staff Reporter - Mon, 25, May 2026
- 18:26 EDT
- 19
Rakhi Israni with family / Handout
Washington: Rakhi Israni, who is running for Congress from California’s 14th Congressional District, said expanding mental health support for young people and strengthening education systems are central priorities of her campaign.
Arguing that children and teenagers are facing unprecedented levels of disruption and anxiety, Israni said schools and communities need stronger support systems to address growing mental health challenges.
Also Read: Rakhi Israni calls for term limits, fresh leadership in Congress
“We are at a time when there is so much disruption all around us and the young people are definitely affected by this. This is one of the things I feel most passionate about as we need to work towards helping the younger generation,” Israni, a mother of four teenagers, said.
Expanding Mental Health Support in Schools
Increasing federal funding for school-based counselors is one of Israni’s primary education policy proposals.
“Currently, we’re asking schools to do more with a lot less,” she said.
Israni also advocated for stricter enforcement of mental health parity laws so that insurance providers treat behavioral healthcare the same way they treat physical healthcare.
She further called for stronger oversight of social media platforms, arguing that companies should be held accountable for practices that negatively affect children’s mental well-being.
According to Israni, years spent working with children and families as a non-profit lawyer and educator have shaped her belief that mental health support must become a larger part of public policy discussions.
Preparing Workers and Students for AI Disruption
Federal investment in workforce retraining and career transition programs is necessary to prepare communities for the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence, Israni said.
Pointing to the Bay Area’s role at the center of technological transformation, she argued that workers need pathways into industries where jobs are less likely to be replaced by automation.
A resident of the East Bay area for more than two decades, Israni said retraining initiatives should focus on sectors such as skilled trades, healthcare, and construction.
“We need to prepare our kids and our community for what’s coming,” she said.
Israni said her experience building an education company with a nationwide presence has informed her position that long-term workforce planning must begin early and include practical career pathways for younger generations.
Housing and Affordability Challenges
Lowering housing costs and helping first-time buyers access homeownership remain key affordability priorities in Israni’s campaign platform.
Describing homeownership as a foundation for long-term stability and generational wealth, she said housing policy must focus on creating access for working families.
“The second you put someone in a home, you create a sense of stability that can be a game changer for them and future generations,” she said.
Israni added that affordability concerns extend beyond housing and affect broader family stability across the district.
Governance Reform and Accountability
Term limits for members of Congress and a ban on stock trading by lawmakers and their families are necessary to improve accountability in government, Israni said.
According to her, reducing complacency in Washington is essential for restoring public trust and ensuring lawmakers remain focused on constituent concerns rather than personal gain.
Together, Israni said, her priorities on education, affordability, and governance reform are aimed at addressing both immediate economic pressures and long-term structural challenges facing families in the district.
While the special election to replace former Congressman Eric Swalwell is scheduled for August 18, the Democratic primary is set for June 16. The primary for the permanent seat will be held on June 2.
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