Category: Politics

Renewable energy developer, Millennial non-profit leader, and award-winning former HISD public school teacher is running in the Democratic primary for Texas Senate District 15

 Outsider Soora starts a well-funded campaign with a bold progressive agenda focused on real reform to root out corruption in Austin and update a broken system.

HOUSTON — Karthik Soora, a renewable energy developer, Millennial non-profit leader, and award-winning former HISD public school teacher, announced his candidacy for Texas Senate District 15 on April 10, 2023. Soora, who co-founded education nonprofit One Jump (now Momentum Education) and the Texas chapter of TheySeeBlue Texas, a grassroots group focused on mobilizing South Asian Texas voters, is running to fix a corrupt system by passing real reforms that empower the rising majority of Texans to finally be heard in Austin.

Soora was born in Americus, Georgia, to ethnically Telugu Indian immigrants who emigrated from Chennai and Bengaluru, and he grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas.  He attended public magnet schools and graduated as valedictorian from Parkview High School in 2007. He grew up speaking Telugu and also has an intermediate proficiency in Urdu and Hindi.  Karthik then attended Rice University in Houston, graduating cum laude, earning a triple major in Political Science, History, and Asian Studies with a minor in Global Health Technologies. He met his wife Shivani Chatterjee, a fluent Bengali speaker whose family hails from Kolkata, while at the Yale School of Management in 2017.  They were married in 2020.  Shivani works for Technovation, a nonprofit focused on increasing girls’ participation in STEM, programming, and AI.  A full biography is included in the press kit.

Soora would make history in many ways. He would be the first Millennial or Generation Z Democrat in the Texas State Senate, the first in clean energy in the Texas Legislature, the first Indian-American in the Texas Legislature, the first South Asian American and the first AAPI in the Texas State Senate, and the first minority individual to represent Texas State Senate District 15, a 72% majority minority district,  since the founding of the Texas Republic.  He would also provide a voice to the over 450,000 Indian-Americans and people of Indian origin who call Texas their home as well as tens of thousands of other Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Nepali-Americans hailing from SAARC communities.

Soora has seen firsthand the costs of failed leadership in the Texas capitol. As a teacher, Soora saw his students work hard because they wanted to be the first in their families to go to college; they’d come in on Saturdays and work till 6 on weekdays, but the system wasn’t there for them. He saw his students face out-of-control flooding, a lack of health care, a broken grid, a lack of adequate K-12 school funding, and a lack of safety as school shootings became an ever more-present threat.

At a time when Austin politicians are taking over our schools, attacking Texas renewable energy, and ignoring the vulnerabilities in our grid, we need leaders who know the issues we face and will champion reforms to make real change possible. “I am running for Texas State Senate because we can’t solve 21st-century problems with a 19th-century system. We need real reforms like banning current legislators from simultaneously serving as lobbyists, allowing citizen voices to be heard through referendums so we can put Roe v. Wade and universal gun-background checks on the ballot, and passing bold campaign finance reform to stop billionaires from buying our elections,” said Soora. “Texas Democrats know the challenges we face – gun violence, attacks on our reproductive freedoms and democracy, underfunded schools, a lack of affordable health care and housing, and the climate crisis – and change starts with passing reforms to ensure that all Texans, not just the ultra rich and MAGA Republicans, are heard in the halls of power.”

This legislative session, MAGA Republicans have continually tried to sideline renewable energy and cleantech that are creating jobs for thousands of Texans across the state. Soora is stepping up to give voice to the rising generations of Texans, particularly the Millennials and Gen Z who will make up 50% of eligible voters in 2024 and who are sick of dysfunction and bigotry, and ready for leaders who represent all of us. That’s why he’ll fight to put our Roe v. Wade rights on the ballot – just as has been done in states across the country, from Montana to Kentucky, and as recently as the Supreme Court election in Wisconsin last week.

 Soora is committed to listening to the voices of every Super Neighborhood and municipality in District 15 and fighting for them all, meeting voters where they are: from Acres Homes to Atascoscita, Greater Heights to Gulfton, or Montrose to Meyerland. In the tradition of successful first-time candidates like Rep. James Talarico, Soora plans to kick off a walking tour of the district in the coming weeks and months, and walk across the entire length of the gerrymandered district to draw attention to gerrymandering and a need for political reform, as he listens and learns from residents of all backgrounds who have been ignored by career politicians in favor of powerful special interests and billionaire donors.  Committed to representation, Soora released his announcement video in Spanish as well, voiced by him.

The Soora campaign has put together a powerhouse and diverse team including The Win Company (media consulting) and Data for Progress (polling). Strategist Myles Bugbee led Sen. Jon Tester’s 2018 digital team and consulted on campaigns such as Gov. Jay Inslee’s climate change-focused 2020 presidential bid and Gov. Katie Hobbs’ 2022 campaign, as well as Texas campaigns like Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia’s 2022 reelection.  Other vendors include South Asian designer Zenab Kashif, and Latino videographers and photographers: OneTap Media and Evelyn Gubler Photography.

By Avinash Gavai, Correspondent

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s recent assertion in parliament regarding “credible allegations” implicating Indian intelligence in the murder of a Sikh activist in British Columbia has generated significant attention in India. This statement, for various reasons, was met with surprise and anger.
Firstly, Trudeau’s claim clashed with India’s national narrative, which typically portrays the country as a paragon of moral virtue, staunchly opposed to engaging in illicit activities on foreign soil. The suggestion that India might orchestrate such a heinous act contradicted the self-image India upholds.
More significantly, the notion that India could be behind an assassination on Western soil, a charge vehemently denied by India’s foreign ministry, marked a notable escalation in India’s covert operations against dissidents and supporters of separatism abroad. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, known for his commitment to reshape India’s traditionally non-confrontational approach to international affairs, declared his resolve in no uncertain terms. After a 2019 terrorist attack in Kashmir, he articulated a policy of taking aggressive action against extremists living abroad. This declaration was swiftly followed by an audacious air force raid into Pakistani territory, which garnered widespread acclaim and was credited with Modi’s party’s electoral success.
Trudeau’s statement triggered a diverse response on Indian right-wing social media, where public sentiment often foreshadows official narratives. Some embraced the idea of India’s involvement, viewing it as a testament to the nation’s growing power, while others vehemently rejected the allegations, branding Trudeau as dishonest. Some vacillated between these viewpoints.
Within India, some advocated for an Israel-like strategic ambiguity, hoping to maintain international suspicion regarding India’s involvement without concrete evidence. However, this approach may backfire, leading to a perception of guilt rather than plausible deniability.
The situation represents a diplomatic and intelligence failure. While the victim, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, was far from a saintly figure, a more discreet approach should have been adopted once Canadian officials raised the issue privately.
The meeting between Trudeau and Modi at the G-20 summit in New Delhi only exacerbated the situation. Trudeau personally conveyed the allegations to Modi, and soon after the official Indian readout accused Canada of supporting religious militancy and organized crime. Many aspects of the case remain shrouded in mystery, and the official Indian perspective argues that Canada harbors Sikh separatist sympathizers who have influenced the murder investigation.
The Hindustan Times recently reported that India’s dossier, submitted to Ottawa and Washington, contains extensive documentation spanning multiple pages. It includes ten charges filed against what it states is a terrorist responsible for contract killings targeting Indian citizens. Nijjar began as a plumber in Surrey but later aligned himself with radical elements, eventually becoming the president of Guru Nanak Sikh Gurudwara. This religious institution openly exhibits images of Khalistan terrorists from past decades, including Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. Nijjar was also affiliated with the banned organization, Babbar Khalsa International, and later joined the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF). Subsequently, he traveled to Pakistan in 2013 and 2014, engaging in meetings with ISI officials to bolster the KTF and orchestrate acts of terrorism in the Indian state of Punjab. The dossier states that his involvement encompassed activities such as identification, networking, training, financing, and operationalizing KTF module members. In other words, India viewed him as a major national security threat.
The United States reportedly shared intelligence with Canada, aiding in implicating India. Intercepted communications among Indian diplomats in Canada hinted at their involvement, according to Canadian officials, without getting into further details.
If the investigation yields enough evidence of state-sponsored involvement, it would signal a significant shift in India’s approach to overseas extremism. Historically, India has targeted militants in exile in Pakistan but refrained from actions against the broader diaspora, even during periods of strained relations with Western countries.
The priority now lies in conducting a transparent investigation in Canada, with proactive cooperation from the Indian government. So far, Canada has not shared any evidence with India.
The United States for its part now faces a crucial decision, needing to balance its alliance commitments with its partnership with India, a bulwark against a growing Chinese threat. It would definitely calculate that its partnership with India is more consequential in the long term than some of its obligations to Canada.
Other recent developments in Canada have raised questions about Trudeau’s credibility on the global stage.
The leader of Canada’s opposition this week criticized the prime minister for honoring a veteran who fought alongside the Nazis during World War II. A major controversy erupted after Yaroslav Hunka, a 98-year-old Ukrainian immigrant, was recognised as a war hero in Canada’s House of Commons during a visit by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
A former Indian ambassador to Canada humorously questioned “whether this act was also based on credible intelligence.”

SUGAR LAND – Taral Patel, the former Chief of Staff for Fort Bend County Judge KP George, former Biden Harris Presidential Appointee, and now Democratic candidate for Fort Bend Commissioner – Precinct 3, since announcing his candidacy has garnered over 200,000 views, across all platforms, on the campaign’s launch video, and record-breaking fundraising. This is the most viewed campaign launch in the history of County Commissioner races in Texas.

Taral, a dedicated and experienced leader in public service, announced his plans last Tuesday to focus on delivering for the people of Fort Bend County in the upcoming Precinct 3 County Commissioner’s race.

Taral Patel released the following statement, “ We are thrilled by the outpouring of support from constituents of diverse backgrounds who are coming together to elect new leadership. As the most experienced candidate in the race and with a thorough understanding of the challenges faced by our communities, I am committed to putting constituents first and delivering tangible results that improve the lives of every resident in our county.”

Taral has a proven track record of accomplishments driven by a steadfast dedication to public service and an unwavering commitment to the well-being of our constituents. His experience in local, state, and federal government has made our local community more effective, engaging, and efficient for everyone that calls Fort Bend home.

Taral Patel invites all residents of Fort Bend County to join us in our commitment to delivering real, impactful change. Together, we can build a brighter future for our county, where every resident thrives and their voices are heard.

Taral grew up in Fort Bend and attended Fort Bend County public schools. He has a proven track record of working for the people to turn bold ideas into tangible results since he began progressive organizing with the Fort Bend Democratic Party in 2008. His experience in local, state, and federal government and the private sector has made our local community more effective, engaging, and efficient for everyone that calls Fort Bend home.

Taral has also worked for the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division in the Public Integrity Section, as the Deputy Finance Director for a Governor, and as a Legislative Staff member for the Texas House of Representatives, focusing on the Transportation and Government Accountability and Transparency Committees.

Most recently, Taral was appointed by President Joseph R. Biden to serve as Office of the White House Liaison to work on matters related to housing, urban development, and disaster recovery and resilience. During his time with the President, Taral was also a vital member of the White House Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Committee (WHAANHPI).

Taral and his rescue dog and rescue cat from the Fort Bend Animal Shelter, Shadow and Mojo, live in Fort Bend.

Democratic Primary Election Day is March 5, 2024.

By Jawahar Malhotra

HOUSTON: This Midterm election cycle has seen a huge slate of minority candidates vying for seats all across the country and many organizations have been highlighting their races as well as supporting them in whichever way they can. Visibility of these candidates remains a huge concern and help from these groups has played a key part of the strategy to build up diversity in elected offices nationally.

One such group is Ethnic Media Services, a San Francisco based organization composed of well regarded journalists and activists all brought together with one thought in mind: “how to enhance the capacity of ethnic news outlets to inform and engage diverse audiences on broader public issues with the goal of building a more inclusive participatory democracy”, according to their website www.ethnicmediaservices.org.

EMS does this outreach by convening roundtable briefings that bring ethnic media together; organizing professional training and fellowships for ethnic media reporters; coordinating social media and marketing campaigns that enable government agencies, foundations, nonprofits and public affairs firms to customize messaging; producing, translating and syndicating multilingual, original news stories to ethnic news media partners and developing communications projects with underserved groups that deepen their engagement.

Towards that end, during these past elections, EMS organized a Zoom briefing on Thursday, October 27 from 1 to 2 pm for many ethnic media outlets in Houston to promote five minority candidates running for various offices. Each had several minutes to present their platforms and then participated in a Q&A session. What was impressive was the passion that led these candidates to jump into the races despite the increased effort and stress of fundraising and meeting voters that left little family time.

These candidates were Dr. Suleman Lalani – Democratic State Representative, Texas House District 76; Sonia Rash – Democratic Candidate for Justice of the Peace Precinct 3, Fort Bend County; Cameron "Coach Cam" Campbell – Democratic State Representative Candidate for Texas House District 132; Daniel Lee – Democratic State Representative Candidate for Texas House District 26 and Dr. Carla Wyatt – Harris County Treasurer Candidate, Houston, Texas.

After the elections, Lalani, Rash and Wyatt were declared winners for their seats. The meeting was moderated by EMS Executive Director Sandy Close, a veteran journalist and correspondent who has worked on stories across the world whose work has received several awards.