Arizona State Senator Priya Sundareshan, an Indian-origin lawmaker, has been nominated for the Gabrielle Giffords Rising Star Award by EMILYs List, recognizing her leadership in voting rights, environmental protection, and reproductive rights. Representing Arizona’s 18th Senate District, Sundareshan has emerged as a strong progressive voice, opposing extreme abortion bans and advocating for contraception access through new legislation.
Who is Priya Sundareshan?
Currently serving as Minority Leader in the Arizona Senate, Sundareshan plays a crucial role in state policy. She was honored with the Rising Environmental Leader Award in 2023 for her work in sustainability and conservation.
Born into an Indian-American family in Tucson, Arizona, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from MIT (2006) and later earned a Juris Doctor (JD) and a Master’s in Natural Resource Economics from the University of Arizona (2011).
Before entering politics, Sundareshan worked at Environmental Defense Fund, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman (Washington, DC), and PA Consulting Group (Cambridge, MA). A mother of two, she remains committed to science-based policies that drive impactful change.
Named after former Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, a gun control advocate, this award honors emerging leaders in progressive politics. EMILYs List will present the award later this year, further solidifying Sundareshan’s influence in state and national politics.
