Indian American Aruna Miller endorsed by EMILY’s List

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Indian American Aruna Miller, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for the 6th Congressional District in Maryland, was endorsed by EMILY’s List, an advocacy group that supports women running for office who are in favor of abortion rights.

Miller has worked for 25 years for Montgomery County as an engineer and was first elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 2010, representing the 15th district as well as serving as a member of the Appropriations Committee.

“She will be a strong voice for women and families in Maryland’s 6th District, pushing back against Donald Trump and Paul Ryan as they attempt to end health care coverage for millions, defund Planned Parenthood, and roll back critical environmental protections,” Emily Cain, executive director of Emily’s List, said in a statement.

“From coming to this country as a seven-year-old and learning English so she could attend public schools to working in a fast food restaurant to help make ends meet during a family health crisis to becoming a successful engineer and running for state representative, Aruna has shown that there is no challenge she cannot rise to meet,” Cain added.

Miller is now seeking to replace Rep. John Delaney in 2018, who said that he will not be seeking re-election and will hence focus on a run for president in 2020.

“I am honored to have been endorsed by Emily’s List. This is an organization founded on bringing more people to the table, and I am so excited to see our message catching the attention of progressives who share our values,” Miller said in a statement.

Miller came to the United States from India when she was only seven-years-old; she learned English by attending public schools, worked in a fast food restaurant during high school, applied for student loans, obtained Pell grants and went to college to study civil engineering, but she didn’t become interested in politics until the 2000 Bush vs. Gore election.

Miller, 52, is running against several other Democrats, including Del. Bill Frick (D-Bethesda), the House of Delegates majority leader; state Sen. Roger Manno (D-Silver Spring); and Total Wine & More co-owner David Trone, Frederick County resident Andrew Duck has also filed to seek the party’s nomination.

News India Times reported earlier that Miller had raised $355,000 for her campaign in July.

In a news release, EMILY’s List said that it has helped elect 116 women to the House of Representatives, 23 to the Senate and more than 800 to state and local offices since it was founded in 1985.