Ashwin Madia

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Ashwin Madia
Candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives from Minnesota, 3rd district
Political party Minnesota Democratic Farmer Labor Party
Residence Plymouth, Minnesota
Alma mater University of Minnesota,
New York University School of Law
Profession attorney
Website http://www.madiaforcongress.com/

Jigar Ashwin Madia, known as Ashwin Madia, 30, is an American attorney and veteran currently running for the United States Congress in Minnesota's 3rd congressional district.[1][2] He won the endorsement of the Minnesota Democratic Farmer Labor Party (DFL) against other candidates including State Senator Terri Bonoff (DFL); the only announced candidate for the Republican nomination is Erik Paulsen (R-MN).

His candidacy was announced after the incumbent, Jim Ramstad (Republican) announced his retirement in 2007, which gave an opportunity for both major parties to field potential candidates. The district is ranked as one of the top ten most likely to switch parties in 2008.[3]

Contents

[edit] Biography

Ashwin Madia's parents moved to America from Mumbai, India. Madia's family, who arrived in the United States impoverished, settled in Plymouth, Minnesota, where he went to Osseo Senior High School. He attended the University of Minnesota, where he became student body president. While in this position, he worked to cap tuition increases and fees for GLBT groups[4]. He then attended New York University School of Law. Madia provided pro bono representation to battered women, disabled children, and immigrants seeking asylum.

Madia then joined the U.S. Marine Corps and completed basic training in Quantico, Virginia. His first duty station was Okinawa, Japan, where he served as a prosecutor, defense counsel, and legal advisor to a Marine Corps commander. Madia was one of the first attorneys to successfully defend a fellow Marine from unfair treatment under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.[5]

Madia later served in Iraq from September 2005 to March 2006. While there, he worked to strengthen Iraq's criminal justice system. This job included working with Iraqi judicial officers, U.S. military and civilian officials, and representatives of the European Union and United Nations, as well as briefing top U.S. generals on the status of the rule of law in the country. In July 2006, Madia finished active duty and returned to Minnesota, where he began to work at a local law firm.

In 1996, Madia was a supporter of Republican Senator Bob Dole in his bid for the White House against president Bill Clinton.[6] In the 2000 presidential race, Madia volunteered for Senator John McCain. Madia was a moderate Republican until 2002, when his positions on social issues and Iraq led him to the Democratic Party. In 2006, Madia volunteered on the DFL campaigns of Grace Baltich, Andy Borene, Senator Satveer Chaudhary, and Wendy Wilde.[7]

Madia was living in the 5th Congressional District, Minneapolis, Minnesota, at the time the 3rd Congressional District seat came available. After he announced his run for the 3rd Congressional District seat, he moved to Plymouth, MN.

[edit] 2008 campaign

Main article: United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota, 2008

Madia has been endorsed by VoteVets.org.[8] He has also been endorsed by the Teamsters Local 120[9] and the United Auto Workers Minnesota State CAP Council.[10] Because of his liberal views on LGBT issues, Madia has also received the endorsement of eQualityGiving.[11]

According to Madia's website, he now hopes to "draw on his record of leadership, service, and advocacy to represent the 3rd District in the U.S. Congress. Madia is running to end the war in Iraq responsibly, balance the budget, address global warming, expand access to health care, renew the federal commitment to education, and safeguard our constitutional liberties". He also says that he will abide by the endorsement of Minnesota's Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.

Ashwin Madia earned a majority of delegates at the senate district conventions that took place across the 3rd District on March 1[12], March 8[13], and March 15.[14]. At the 3rd District DFL endorsing convention, which took place on April 12, 2008, Madia and his final opponent, State Senator Terri Bonoff, competed with indecisive results through eight ballots. Following the eighth ballot, Bonoff dropped out.[15]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Ashwin Madia. dkosopedia. Retrieved on 2007-12-05.
  2. ^ Ashwin madia for Congress. Madia for Congress. Retrieved on 2007-12-05.
  3. ^ Cillizza, Chris. "The Line: GOP Exodus From House Puts Party on Defense", The Fix, The Washington Post, November 30, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-12-05. 
  4. ^ MDO - MSA Forum decides to side with U in suit - 05/13/1998
  5. ^ MN-03: Ashwin Madia interview | mnblue
  6. ^ Dole would bring integrity, leadership to highest office - Minnesota Daily
  7. ^ http://mnpublius.com/2007/11/madia-the-dfler/
  8. ^ VoteVets.org | Candidates
  9. ^ http://mnpublius.com/2008/02/breaking-madia-endorsed-by-teamsters-local-120
  10. ^ Minnesota Campaign Report:: Madia endorsed by UAW
  11. ^ eQualityGiving - Ashwin Madia for Congress: Letter from Donor
  12. ^ Minnesota Campaign Report:: SD42: Good day for Franken, Madia
  13. ^ Minnesota Campaign Report:: Big wins for Madia today
  14. ^ http://mnpublius.com/2008/03/its-all-madia/
  15. ^ MPR: Democrats endorse Madia in 3rd Congressional Dist

[edit] External Links