Susheela Jayapal, the sister of Indian American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, has announced her candidacy for Congress in Oregon, aiming to succeed the retiring Democrat Earl Blumenauer in representing Oregon’s 3rd congressional district. In her announcement, Susheela expressed her commitment to continuing Blumenauer’s legacy and defending progressive values against MAGA ideologues.
Susheela’s campaign platform includes defending abortion and reproductive rights, addressing climate change and environmental issues, promoting democracy, ensuring accessible healthcare, providing living wages and jobs for workers, and increasing federal funding for affordable housing, shelters, and treatment facilities. She also emphasizes making quality education affordable and enhancing community safety.
Prior to her congressional bid, Susheela served as the Multnomah County Commissioner but stepped down on October 31, 2023, to pursue the Democratic nomination. Her campaign enjoys endorsements from Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson and Oregon State Representative Tawna Sanchez.
Susheela’s journey from India to the United States at the age of 16 culminated in her education at Swarthmore College and the University of Chicago Law School. She is a mother of two and resides in the Sabin neighborhood of Portland. In 2018, she was elected to Portland’s nonpartisan Multnomah County Board of Commissioners.
Pramila Jayapal, her sister and Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, shared the news on social media, highlighting Susheela’s campaign’s grassroots funding approach. Despite the occasional disagreements, the sisters express their eagerness to collaborate in their political endeavors.
Susheela’s campaign for Congress reflects her commitment to advancing progressive values and her dedication to representing Oregon’s 3rd congressional district in Washington.
