Diversity is a cornerstone of Maryland’s governance, says Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller, who emphasizes the importance of community engagement and interfaith collaboration in her political journey.
In the fall of 2025, Maryland Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller first encountered the Buddhist monks on their “Walk for Peace” through social media. Accompanied by Aloka, their loyal canine companion from India, the monks had journeyed over 2,000 miles for more than 100 days, making their way from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C.
Miller reached out to the monks, inviting them to make a stop at the Maryland State House. On February 12, 2026, nearly 12,000 Marylanders gathered to welcome the monks, marking the largest peaceful assembly ever recorded by the Maryland Capitol Police.
“Many of us in the world right now need that comfort of peace, light, and hope,” Miller remarked in an interview. “I think that’s missing in the national and global dialogue.”
Raised in an interfaith household, Miller’s principles of empathy and peace are central to her political ethos. “From the moment I wake up to the moment I close my eyes, I want to be able to give the world the best of me,” she stated.
In 2022, Miller made history as the first South Asian woman elected as Lieutenant Governor of Maryland. She is also the first immigrant and the first woman of color to hold statewide office in the state. This year, she is seeking a second term alongside Governor Wes Moore, with Maryland’s primary election set for June 23.
The monks’ mission resonates with Miller’s role as chair of Maryland’s inaugural Council on Interfaith Outreach, which she established in 2023. “Maryland is an intersection of so many different ethnic backgrounds, cultures, and religions. We know the impact faith communities have on individuals; they’re often the first place people turn to during times of distress,” she explained.
For the council, which now comprises over a dozen members, Miller engaged several local faith-based organizations, including the Islamic Society of Baltimore, the Celebration Church Columbia, the Baltimore Hebrew Congregation, and the Shri Mangal Mandir Temple. “I thought, why don’t we bring all those faith leaders together and work on policies and shared values that we can collectively support?”
Miller’s upbringing in an interfaith household deeply influenced her worldview. Her father was a devout Hindu, while her mother, originally Hindu, was raised in the Catholic tradition. Miller recalls her mother’s aspirations for her to become a nun, which she finds amusing today.
“My father prayed to Hindu gods, while my mother sent us to Sunday school. Both of them worked beautifully together,” she reflected. “There was never any ‘my faith is better than yours.’ As long as you have faith and believe in the greater goodness in this world, that’s what makes all of us better.” These values continue to shape her life with her husband David, their three daughters, and her mother, who lives with them. Although not a regular temple-goer, Miller practices the values of Hinduism daily, stating, “Any faith that teaches you to be a good human being, to be caring, to be compassionate and empathetic, I’m open to all of it.”
Miller’s journey began in 1972 when she arrived in New York from Hyderabad at the age of seven. She spoke no English and had just been reunited with her family after being raised by her maternal grandmother. Her father, who pursued a PhD in mechanical engineering, could only afford to bring his family to the United States one at a time.
“I remember getting off the plane in New York and thinking, wow, look at all these people waiting at the airport for my dad and me! I thought they were all welcoming us to this new country. I got so excited because I thought they were throwing confetti to welcome us! But it wasn’t confetti; it was snow! I had never seen snow in my life, and it made me feel warm – like I love this country already!” Miller reminisced.
Inspired by her father, Miller pursued a degree in civil engineering and spent 25 years as a transportation engineer for Montgomery County’s Department of Transportation. However, her path took an unexpected turn into public service.
Miller often describes herself as an “accidental politician,” initially uninterested in running for office. It wasn’t until she became a newly minted citizen and voted for the first time in the 2000 presidential election that she recognized the importance of civic engagement. “A lot happens before a candidate is actually elected. There’s a lot of boots on the ground,” she noted.
After volunteering for the Democratic Party, she was encouraged to run for office. Despite her initial doubts about whether her community would support a candidate who looked like her, Miller was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates from 2010 to 2019 and later became Governor Wes Moore’s running mate. “When you’re running on ideas that you believe will benefit the community and they feel they can trust you, they’ll vote for you,” she said.
Miller acknowledges that engaging in politics can be daunting for immigrants, but she emphasizes that not participating is no longer an option. “Politics is very conflict-oriented, and many immigrants want to avoid conflict. But if you have the ability to vote and you’re not voting, you’re giving power to those who are,” she warned.
When immigrants or members of minority communities run for office, it encourages broader community participation in public life. “Candidates and elected officials reflect the diversity of their communities; racial, ethnic, and religious minorities feel less political alienation and have more trust in government,” Miller explained.
Under Miller and Governor Moore’s leadership, Maryland has established the most diverse cabinet in its history, reflecting the state’s demographic makeup. The 2020 Census identified Maryland as the most diverse of the mid-Atlantic states, with over half of its population identifying as non-White and 2.5 percent as South Asian.
“Diversity is what Governor Moore and I see as our strength,” Miller asserted. “We had the most Asian American cabinet secretaries in the continental United States.”
Despite this progress, rising anti-immigrant sentiments and online attacks against South Asians pose challenges. A report from Stop AAPI Hate indicates a significant increase in online hate directed at the Asian community, with South Asians being particularly targeted since November 2024.
Miller attributes the anonymity of the internet to the rise of online hate. “We’re living in an age where people can hide behind screens and make terrible attacks on individuals,” she said. She also highlighted a troubling narrative that blames the successes of one community for the struggles of another.
In response to these challenges, the state has provided grants to places of worship to enhance security and educate communities. “It’s important that we speak as one voice and protect one another, our brothers and sisters of different ethnic backgrounds and religions,” Miller emphasized.
Maryland has also taken a stand on immigration issues, joining a coalition of 19 states that sued the Trump administration over a $100,000 fee imposed on new H-1B visa petitions. The state relies heavily on H-1B hires to support its educational and healthcare systems.
“Anytime you shut out individuals who want to contribute to our economy and share their innovative ideas, we’re the ones at a loss,” Miller stated, advocating for urgent reform of the H-1B program to make it more efficient and accessible.
Maryland has faced economic challenges, including the loss of 25,000 federal jobs, the highest in the nation. In response, Miller noted that the state is working to redirect displaced workers into education roles to address teacher shortages exacerbated by the pandemic.
“We can’t just lean on the feds, eds, and meds,” Miller concluded, emphasizing the need for economic diversification and support for small businesses.
These insights into Miller’s journey and her vision for Maryland illustrate her commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive community, highlighting the importance of interfaith dialogue and civic engagement in shaping the future of the state.
According to India Currents.
