Name *
Ashwani Jain
Age *
34
Office and District
Congress - MD06
City and County of Residence *
Gaithersburg - Montgomery
Political Party *
Democrat
Education *
2 Bachelor's Degrees and 1 Master's Degree
Career/Occupation *
Program Director at the National Kidney Foundation
Political Experience *
I have experience in the public, private and non-profit sectors - including the Obama White House, the US Department of Health, the US Department of Housing, and the National Kidney Foundation.
Website
Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551656267220
Public Twitter Handle
Public Instagram Handle
Public TikTok Handle
YouTube Page
Other Public Social Media Accounts
https://www.facebook.com/ashwani.jain.9809/
Why are you running for office?
I am running for Congress - not just to be Maryland’s first Millennial and first Asian ever elected - but because I have specific policy solutions that will open the doors of opportunity for our community. That includes passing Medicare For All, making public college free and canceling student debt, getting money out of politics and pushing for a $26 minimum wage. More at JainForCongress.com
Who do you consider your political role model, and why?
Barack Obama - his campaign for President in 2008 was the first campaign I was involved in. I was a senior in high school - with no political connections or experience. But his campaign empowered me and allowed me to become a leader in my community. I felt my voice was respected and my work was valued. I also believed in his vision and his policies, and was inspired by his message of hope, inclusion and youth activism.
What is your favorite book about politics and policy, and why?
“A Long Walk To Freedom” by Nelson Mandela - in humanizing a leader often perceived as superhuman, it underscored the profound value of empathy—an essential quality at the core of public service. Furthermore, it served as a powerful reminder of the significance of equality and justice, and why individuals must be willing to make sacrifices in the pursuit of the greater good.
What will be your top priority if elected?
Passing Medicare For All, making public college free and canceling student debt, getting money out of politics and pushing for a $26 minimum wage.
What are the three biggest issues facing your district?
Lack of access to good wages, affordable and equitable healthcare and ability to make ends meet.
What are the three biggest issues facing Maryland?
Residents - from Red counties to Blue counties - not having enough access to good wages, affordable and equitable healthcare and ability to make ends meet.
What are the three biggest issues facing our country?
Income inequality; Healthcare; Climate Change
What is your position on life issues? (abortion, assisted suicide)
I believe we must federally protect access to safe abortions and gender-affirming therapy.
What is your position on taxes, spending, and the federal deficit?
A budget is a document or morals and priorities. We must ensure the wealthiest pay their fair share, guarantee equality of opportunity for every American, have smart regulations that benefit both business and workers, reduce dependency on welfare programs, and lower poverty while increasing consumer spending and expanding our tax-base.
What is your position on gun rights?
To ensure responsible gun-owners are not punished for the crimes of those with mental illnesses, we must have universal background checks for guns, ban assault weapons and reform concealed carry laws.
What is your position on the federal legalization of marijuana?
Maryland voted to decriminalize cannabis, which took effect Jan. 1, 2023. However, it deserves to be the same on the federal level. Under federal law, it is still a criminal offense for a person to have any amount of cannabis. I want to decriminalize all possession and legalize it, making it fully accessible and taxable. I plan to finance this by taxing it at 6% for the first fiscal year, increasing by 1% each year, maxing at 10%. We must ensure 30% of marijuana tax revenue will go toward promoting industry participation and providing technical assistance for people who’ve been disproportionately impacted by criminalization. Existing medical cannabis dispensaries would be converted into dual licenses. Similar to Colorado, we will also ensure people who drive with marijuana in their system receive a DUI charge.
What is your position on trade?
Trade deals must incorporate stronger protections for workers and the environment.
What is your position on foreign policy and military issues?
We must always prioritize multilateral diplomacy over military force.
What policies would you support to fight inflation?
To sustainably fight inflation, we must lower the cost of healthcare, increase consumer spending and lower the overall cost of living. That means Medicare For All; that means making public college free and canceling student debt; and that means having a $26 minimum wage.
What is your position on Transgender issues?
You don’t need to fully understand the nuances of gender identity to know that each person knows who they are better than you or I ever will. I’ve been an ally my whole life and I will fight for equal and equitable protections in Congress. That means federally protecting access to gender-affirming therapy, having comprehensive Sex-Ed in public schools, ensuring anti-discrimination in adoption and foster care, and prohibiting schools from banning pride flags or preventing students from playing on sport teams that are consistent with their gender identity
Would you support the passage of the Human Life Amendment? *
No
Would you support the passage of the Balanced Budget Amendment? *
No
Do you support D.C. Statehood? *
Yes
Do you support retrocession of the District of Columbia into Maryland? *
No
Was Joe Biden legitimately elected President of the United States in the November 2020 Election? *
Yes
Do you support another round of federal stimulus payments? *
Yes
Do you support the proposed ban on TikTok? *
No
Do you pledge to accept the results of your election? *
Yes