WASHINGTON: Indian-American Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi today won the Congressional election from Illinois, defeating Republican former Elmhurst Mayor Peter DiCianni. Krishnamoorthi, 43, won the Chicago-area US House of Representatives seat, the 8th Congressional District, vacated by Tammy Duckworth who won Illinois’ US Senate seat.
New Delhi-born Krishnamoorthi, a laboratory executive, has parental roots in Chennai. He was endorsed by US President Barack Obama.
“Thank you! I’m honored and humbled to be the next Congressman of Illinois’ 8th District! #IL08,” Krishnamoorthi said in a tweet. Krishnamoorthi thanked supporters in his victory speech. Interestingly, he is the second Hindu-American to be elected to the US House of Representatives.
Tulsi Gabbard, the first Hindu-American in the US Congress, is seeking her third term from Hawaii. Krishnamoorthi and DiCianni were both trying to win the seat vacated by Tammy Duckworth who won Illinois’ US Senate seat.
