Editor’s note: More than a dozen Democrats and Republicans are running in the May 14 primary election to be their party’s nominee in the race for the 6th Congressional District seat now held by Rep. David Trone (D), who is running for the U.S. Senate. MoCo360 is running profiles of the candidates based on questionnaire answers submitted for our voters guide. Beginning with the Republican candidates, a profile will be published every weekday until the May 2 start of early voting.
Today’s profile features Democratic candidate Ashwani Jain
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Ashwani Jain
Party: Democrat
Age: 33
Residence: Gaithersburg
Education: George Washington University, University of Maryland
Current/most recent role: program director for the National Kidney Foundation, previously worked for the Obama administration.
Previous political experience: Ran for governor in 2022 and finished seventh in the Democratic primary with just over 2% of the vote. Ran for Montgomery County Council in the 2018 Democratic primary against 32 other candidates for at-large seats, receiving 4.3% of the vote.
Campaign website: https://www.jainforcongress.com/
Why are you running?
I am running for Congress in my home district– not just to make history as Maryland’s first millennial and first Asian to be elected–but because I have specific policy solutions to open the doors of opportunity for our community. That includes issues like free public college, canceled student debt, Medicare for all, a $26 minimum wage by 2030 and taking bold stances like being the first to call for a ceasefire in Gaza because we need a nuanced approach.
If elected, what would your priorities be within your first 100 days in Congress?
What is needed in Congress is someone who understands how to build coalitions at the federal level and fight for funding for our district. I have the most expansive federal experience of anyone in the race. This includes being appointed to two different offices in the Obama White House and two federal agencies. I am committed to ensuring that from day 1 constituents can call my office, talk to a real person, and receive assistance working with federal agencies. This includes transitioning active cases from Congressman David Trone’s office to ensure that there is no interruption of services.
What district-specific issues are you most passionate about and how would you use your platform to address them?
I spend every day of the week canvassing across this district and from Montgomery County to Garrett our residents, especially the youth, are concerned about cost of living. That is why I’m fighting for Medicare for all, canceled student debt, free public college and a $26 minimum wage by 2030. This brings up every worker’s salary up to the national average of $55K a year, helps our economy, reduces poverty and crime rates, expands our tax base and helps businesses find, hire and retain workers.
What do you think Congress’ role should be when it comes to public schools? What can you do to best support the schools?
I am a proud product of Maryland public schools–including a Title 1 elementary school. In Congress, I can fight to ensure our students receive adequate resources, education, and opportunities. Through a program called Congressional Community Project Funding (CPF) a member of Congress is able to direct funds from the federal budget to specific local projects including but certainly not limited to building, maintaining, expanding, and modernizing schools. Additionally, I will be able to leverage my experience in two federal agencies to navigate federal red tape and advocate for the district effectively to the Department of Education.
How should Congress address crime?
To address crime, we must look at the issue comprehensively. That is why I was the first to publish a criminal justice platform which discusses ending mass incarceration, legalizing marijuana, treating drug addiction as a public health crisis, ending the money-bail system and ending for-profit prison contracts. We must also ensure we lower the cost of living and expand access to economic mobility for residents. This can be accomplished by increasing the minimum wage to $26 by 2030, making housing accessible and affordable, making public college free and establishing Medicare for all.
How should Congress address gun violence?
Effective firearm policy balances the rights of gun owners while aggressively combatting the devastating rise of mass shootings and gun violence. That’s why I was the first in the race to have a gun violence prevention platform. That includes holding gun manufacturers accountable, implementing a voluntary gun buyback program, passing universal background checks, banning assault weapons, applying new merchant codes to gun shops, and reforming concealed carry laws.
The Dobbs v. Jackson decision in 2022 that overturned Roe v. Wade has changed the face of reproductive care access across the country. What should Congress’ role be in the abortion conversation?
From day one of my time in Congress I will be fighting to enshrine federal protections for abortion access in all states and territories at the federal level. Legislative attacks against women’s rights at the state level cannot be allowed to continue as women and girls are stripped of their right to bodily autonomy. That is why I was the first candidate in this race to release a comprehensive women’s rights platform detailing my commitment to fight for these issues. If the Supreme Court can’t be trusted to protect our freedoms, we need to elect legislators that can.
The same Supreme Court decision has raised concerns about marriage rights and gender-affirming care access for LGBTQ+ people. How should Congress address this?
You don’t need to understand the nuances of gender identity to know that each person knows who they are better than anyone else. I’ve been a fighter for gender equality my whole life and I will continue the battle for equal and equitable protections in Congress. As the first candidate in this race to publish an LGBTQ+ Rights platform in October of 2023 , I believe we must federally protect access to safe abortions and gender-affirming therapy, prohibit schools from banning pride flags and teach comprehensive sex-ed (to include gender identity and consent).
What should Congress’ role be in addressing a changing climate?
I was the first in the race to have a “climate” agenda. This agenda includes plans to electrify all cars, trucks and buses by 2035, impose a rooftop solar power mandate by 2035, optimize long-duration energy storage, build more offshore wind farms, invest in renewable agriculture, prevent drilling of fossil fuels on public lands, and having smart growth and mixed-use development.
Is there anything else you want to share with prospective voters?
I am absolutely heartbroken by the violence occurring in Israel and Palestine. That is whyI was the first and only one in this race- back in November to call for a ceasefire. I believe in the right and nuanced approach that supports our ally Israel’s right to defend itself against terrorists while also calling out Netanyahu’s apartheid regime of ethnic cleansing with no regard to civilian lives. Voters deserve leaders in Congress who stand up for human rights and take bold stances regardless of which way the political winds blow.
This is the sixth in a series of candidate profiles. Check out the first profile here.