File photo of Congressman Ami Bera being sworn in as the U.S. Representative for California’s 7th Congressional district.

Representative Ami Bera announced his support for two progressive Indian American women running for office and emphasized the historic nature of the 2016 election for the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. (Community, #USCongressionalRace, #2016USElections, #AmiBera, @AmiBera, #Siliconeer, @Siliconeer)

Bera is supporting Kesha Ram, who is running for Lieutenant Governor in Vermont, and Pramila Jayapal, who is running for Congress in Washington state’s 7th Congressional District.

“We need more women and more members of the AAPI community running for office,” Bera said. “Kesha and Pramila represent the next generation of leaders. Their focus on serving their communities and fighting for progressive values sets a powerful example to younger women.”

“I’m thrilled to have the support of Rep. Bera as I continue to work on solutions that help our community get ahead,” Ram said. “Having the support of another member of the AAPI community will be crucial as I continue to fight for solutions and make investments that grow our economy and create opportunity for Vermonters.”

“As a candidate with nearly three decades of service to my community I’m proud to have the support of Rep. Bera, who shares my commitment to service, and I look forward to joining him in Congress,” Jayapal said. “With the strength of the AAPI community, we can create real change that expands economic equality and opportunity for all.”

Dr. Ami Bera represents Sacramento County in Congress. He’s working to make Congress a place for service and fighting to rebuild an economy that works for middle class families. As a leader of the No Labels Problem Solvers, Bera is leading the charge to find bipartisan solutions to our nation’s challenges, and worked to pass the No Budget, No Pay Act, which says if members of Congress don’t pass a budget, they don’t get paid. He and his wife Janine live in Elk Grove, Calif., with their daughter Sydra.