Kumar Barve. (Facebook)
Kumar Barve. (Facebook)

Delegate Kumar Barve (D-MD) announced his campaign team in the race for Maryland’s open 8th Congressional District. A Siliconeer report.

Delegate Kumar Barve (D-MD) announced his campaign team in the race for Maryland’s open 8th Congressional District, in Rockville, MD. Barve, who was the Majority Leader of the Maryland House of Delegates, is the first Indian American elected to a state legislature in U.S. History. He is seeking the seat currently held by Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), who is running for the U.S. Senate.

Serving his constituents with distinction for 25 years, Barve was chosen Majority Leader in 2002. He has played a pivotal role in crafting, defending, and passing legislation which has taken on the big HMO’s, closed corporate tax loopholes, guaranteed marriage equality for every Marylander, made college more affordable, raised the minimum wage, and helped preserve and protect the state’s natural resources.

“I’m proud to have a team with an outstanding record of electing progressive candidates both here in Maryland and across the country.” said Barve. “Together we will run a tough, winning campaign that ensures the hard working families of this district will continue to have a strong voice in Congress”.

Barve, 56, grew up in Silver Spring, MD, and graduated from Georgetown University. A resident of Montgomery County since 1960, he is an accountant and Chief Financial Officer of Environment Management Services, Inc., a Rockville, MD company. The first Indian American elected to serve in a state legislature in U.S. history, Barve, Chair of the House Environment and Transportation Committee, has been a member of the Maryland House of Delegates since 1990, representing Rockville and Gaithersburg. He is married to Maureen Quinn, a Maryland Worker’s Compensation commissioner.

Barve’s team includes:

Raghu Devaguptapu of A|L Media has been retained as the campaign’s media consultant. Devaguptapu has led numerous high profile campaigns across the country, including the historic upset win of U.S. Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA) in 2012 and Bera’s subsequent re-election win, which was the most expensive congressional race in the country. He was the first Asian American to be named Political Director of a national party committee – first at the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee and then at the Democratic Governors Association.

Molly Murphy of Anazlone Liszt Grove Research, a public opinion research firm specializing in message development and strategic consulting, will handle polling for the campaign. Murphy has done extensive research work for progressive issue organizations including Center for American Progress, Freedom to Marry, Third Way, EMILY’s List, and Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Murphy also serves as pollster for Democratic candidates and has worked on dozens of congressional races.

Stephanie Mellinger of the Maryland-based The Mellinger Group, LLC, is the campaign fundraising consultant. Mellinger has extensive experience with Maryland state, local and federal candidates for elective office. She has also served as lead fundraiser for several U.S House campaigns, including those of Indian American candidates.

Seth Maiman, a longtime Bethesda resident who has managed political campaigns at the local, state and federal levels, has been named Campaign Manager. A former Chief of Staff to U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Maiman has the one- half point victory of former U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) among his campaign management credits. Maiman is deeply rooted in the community, serving on numerous local committees and boards as well as being Vice President of the Chevy Chase synagogue he attends.

Anil Mammen of the Mammen Group, a leader in targeted campaign advertising for Democratic candidates and progressive causes, will handle direct mail and other print communications. His targeted direct mail has helped elect 23 members of Congress, and over 200 candidates for local and state offices. A veteran of several competitive Democratic primaries, he helped U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and U.S. Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-CA) win the hotly contested primaries that launched their respective congressional careers.