Sacramento, CA: Having served two four-year terms on the San Jose, Calif., City Council, Ash Kalra has filed his nomination to run for state Assembly in California’s 27th district. The Indian American candidate’s candidature will appear on the ballot for the June 7 primary. “This was an exciting moment for me,” Kalra said in an email statement, adding he was proud to have his father on hand for the filing. “We have come so far since I first announced my campaign and the momentum just continues to build.”
In addition to the news of Kalra running for Assembly, the politician also recently opened his new campaign headquarters on Monterey Highway in San Jose, which was attended by a number of local dignitaries including Sen. Jim Beall, Assembly member Kansen Chu and supervisors Dave Cortese and Cindy Chavez.
“Our grassroots effort is constantly growing and we need your help to deliver my message to San Jose voters,” Kalra said. The district has been represented the past six years – three terms – by Democrat Nora Campos, who cannot run again as she has reached the term limit.
Ash Kalra has called San Jose home for over 37 years. In that time, he has developed a passion for serving his neighbors and making sure that our government is solving problems – not creating them.
Ash made history by becoming the first Indian-American to be elected to the San Jose City Council, where he currently represents District 2. In his time as a Councilmember, he has fought against cuts to public safety including standing up in favor of restoring the SJPD burglary unit and Violent Crimes Enforcement Team, worked to provide incentives for companies to locate and grow in San Jose and has been a champion for more transit options including the BART to Silicon Valley extension. Ash has been one of the foremost advocates of clean energy and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels while preserving our open spaces and protecting our surrounding habitat. Ash has been a voice for public safety, better schools, improved public transportation and a healthier environment.
Since 1999, Ash has been a law professor at Lincoln Law School of San Jose. Previously, he also taught at San Jose State University and at inner city Washington, DC high schools.
Prior to serving on the City Council, Ash was an attorney for the Santa Clara County Public Defender’s Office for 11 years. Most of his time was spent in drug treatment court where clients were given the opportunity to complete a rehabilitation program and turn their lives around. In addition, Ash served on numerous non-profit boards, including Somos Mayfair, the Asian Law Alliance, the South Asian Bar Association, Fresh Lifelines for Youth and the Santa Clara County Bar Association. Ash also helped to found the Hayes Neighborhood Association in the neighborhood in which he grew up and still lives today. Ash Kalra earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a Law Degree from Georgetown University.
