Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Punjabi woman seeks to be South Carolina Governor

Indian Americans across the country are set to create history in mainstream politics. The second generation is all set to join the political process seeking elective position. In Chicago, it is Raja Krishnamoorthy who is eyeing a billion dollar Comptroller Office while Dr. Amerish Bera hopes to go to US Congress from 3rd Congressional district in California. Both are young and energetic.

And now comes Nikki Randhawa, State Representative of South Carolina, who has entered the Governor race for 2010 in South Carolina. The State never had a female or a minority governor, but that could change next year with the entrance of Indian-American Nikki Randhawa Haley deemed a rising Republican star in political firmament by Republican Party bosses.

The Indian American Friendship Council (IAFC) hosted a reception for Nikki Randhawa Haley on September 19 at Roma Palace Banquet Hall in Dallas. Several Indian American community leaders attended the event. IAFC is a non-profit, non-partisan organization supporting elected officials who help to build better Indo-US relations.

Prasad Thotakura, General Secretary IAFC, introduced the Chief Guest to the audience and mentioned that Nikki is the right person to lead South Carolina State as a Governor. "We are going to one more governor of Indian origin in 2010 after Bobby Jindal's victory as a Louisiana Governor. She has earned a reputation as one of the most honest, hardworking, fiscally conservative government officials in South Carolina. She built a name for herself opposing exploding government spending and, most recently, fighting to put every legislative vote on the record to be accountable to the people," Prasad pointed out.

In her brief response, Nikki Haley said that "unemployment in South Carolina is at 12% and as a Governor her first priority would be to create jobs, provide quality education, maintain a fiscally responsible government just like any business. Running a government is not rocket science, just common sense." Piyush Patel, Vice-President of IAFC, thanked all sponsors, Nikki Haley and her staff who came all the way from South Carolina to attend the reception. IAFC Board of Directors, Rao Kalvala, Dr. Sat Gupta, Taiyab Kundawala, and several other entrepreneurs and community members attended the event.

Nikki's parents migrated from Punjab in 1969. Nikki was born and raised in Bamburg, South Carolina. She graduated from Clemson University with a B.S. degree. Currently, she is serving as the Assistant Executive Director of the Lexington Medical Foundation. The wife of a military officer, mother of two children, and a small businesswoman, Nikki made headlines on the political scene when she defeated a long time incumbent and got elected as the State Representative of South Carolina in 2004.

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