Indian American attorney and educator Rakhi Israni has joined the race for U.S. Congress from California’s 14th Congressional District, with a message centered on rising costs, political division, and the need for reform-focused leadership.
“I’m running for Congress – to bring truth and civility back to our politics and deliver results on the issues facing us all,” she said announcing her bid in a social media video.
“Dharma is how I lead my life. It is the commitment to just, righteous actions that sustain harmony and uplift those around us,” said Israni. “I believe we have a duty to serve a purpose greater than ourselves and to stand firmly on the side of truth.
“My husband and I are passing that belief down to our four kids,” she said. “It’s a value I see alive and well in our communities, but the tragedy is it’s missing in our politics.”
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“Today’s politics are defined by division and extreme rhetoric, so it is crucial for the safety of our communities that we elect a member of Congress focused on solving problems and lowering the temperature while hate and division infect our democracy,” Israni said.
Positioning herself as a problem-solver, she said her priority would be to address the economic pressures families face. “I am ready to lead, to restore justice and truth to our government, and to focus on finding solutions to lower the skyrocketing costs crippling families in the Bay Area and across the country.”
If elected, she would be the second Indian American woman to serve in the House of Representatives and the first from California.
The U.S. Congress currently has six Indian American members: Ami Bera, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Pramila Jayapal, Shri Thanedar, and Suhas Subramanyam.
The daughter of immigrants from India, Israni has lived the promise of the American Dream, according to her campaign. “For over 20 years, she and her husband have raised their four children here in the East Bay, building a life rooted in community, opportunity and hard work.”
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“She is running to protect that promise for the next generation — the same opportunity that allowed her to build a business, raise a family and serve her neighbors,” the campaign says.
“Whether she is representing underserved families in court as a community service, mentoring a student, or serving on a national non-profit, Israni operates with a single belief: The power to make a difference doesn’t belong to politicians in Washington — it belongs to all of us” it says.
Israni combines strategic leadership with a grassroots heart and a deep foundation in public service, according to her campaign site. With a Master of Laws (LLM) from Columbia University and an MBA from Rice University, she brings expertise to tackle complex policies and restore fiscal sanity.
“But her perspective was shaped early on — beginning at the police academy, where she learned the importance of safety, accountability, and the rule of law,” it says. “This uncommon journey — from the academy to the courtroom to the boardroom — gives Rakhi a practical, solutions-oriented approach to leadership without the baggage of career politics.”