In a groundbreaking move, Susheela Jayapal, a county commissioner in Portland, has announced her campaign for Congress, with the hope of joining her sister, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), in the fight for human and civil rights at the federal level. The political veteran aims to fill the congressional seat of Rep. Earl Blumenauer, a fellow progressive Oregonian who recently announced his retirement.
Blumenauer, who has represented Oregon’s 3rd Congressional District for over two decades, will step down at the end of his term next year. This sets the stage for a potentially competitive Democratic primary for the 2024 election, scheduled to take place on May 21, 2024.
In an exclusive interview with HuffPost, Susheela Jayapal shared her motivations for running and discussed how her close relationship with her sister has shaped her political journey. Pramila Jayapal, the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, also joined the conversation, adding her support and insights.
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Reflecting on their bond, Susheela Jayapal expressed her gratitude for having her sister by her side, stating, “I cannot imagine being on this path without Pramila, and I can’t wait to work with her. We’re going to irritate each other along the way,” they laughed.
Susheela Jayapal’s journey to this point has been remarkable. She moved to the United States from India at the age of 16 to pursue higher education, graduating at just 20 years old. She then worked as a financial analyst for Goldman Sachs before earning her law degree. After several years in the legal field, including serving as Adidas America’s general counsel, Jayapal transitioned to nonprofit work in the Portland area. For nearly three decades, she has called Portland her home.
In May 2018, Jayapal made history by winning over 60% of the vote in the nonpartisan Multnomah County Board of Commissioners election, becoming the first Indian American to hold elected office at the county level in Oregon. Her achievements and dedication have earned her the admiration of her sister, who described her as an inspiration and a trailblazer.
Pramila Jayapal emphasized her support for Susheela, not only as a sister but also as someone who believes in her ability to make a difference for the people of the district. “Of course, I’m supporting her because she’s my sister and I adore her, but I’m also supporting her because she is going to do such incredible things for the people of the district once she’s elected,” she said.
Susheela Jayapal’s decision to run for office gained momentum after the 2016 election of former President Donald Trump. Inspired by her desire to address pressing issues such as housing affordability and homelessness in the Portland area, she felt compelled to take action. If elected, Jayapal aims to focus on critical matters such as climate change, abortion rights, and healthcare.
Notably, Susheela Jayapal is three years older than her sister, Pramila Jayapal, who was elected to represent the Seattle area in the House in 2016. If Susheela succeeds in her campaign, they would become the second pair of sisters to jointly serve in Congress, making history once again.
Pramila Jayapal’s own journey began as a political organizer, where she founded OneAmerica, an immigration rights group based in Seattle. She later served in the Washington Senate before becoming a member of the U.S. Congress. Throughout Susheela’s political journey, Pramila has been a source of support and guidance, leveraging her experience as a seasoned lawmaker.
Acknowledging her sister’s unique qualities and strengths, Pramila Jayapal expressed her confidence in Susheela’s ability to forge her own path. “Susheela is such her own person. She is really grounded. She also has her own set of experiences. She is incredibly skilled in a whole host of areas; some of them are the same, some of them are different,” she said. “She will carve her own path, I have no doubt about that. And people will come to know her for who she is, for Susheela Jayapal.”
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Susheela Jayapal’s congressional campaign brings together a compelling mix of experience, passion, and dedication. Her vision for a more inclusive and equitable future resonates with the ideals of her progressive constituency. As the race for the Democratic primary heats up, all eyes will be on Susheela Jayapal and her bid to join her sister in Congress, further amplifying
