Meet Ashwin Ramaswamy: 1st Gen Z Indian-American for Georgia Senate seat

PTC News Desk: Ashwin Ramaswami, a Democrat, is pioneering a new era in American politics as the first Gen Z Indian-American to vie for a state or federal legislature seat in the U.S. Hailing from Tamil Nadu immigrants who arrived in the U.S. in 1990, Ramaswami's bid symbolises the rise of a fresh cohort of young leaders within the community.

At 24, Ramaswami articulates his motivation for entering the political arena: a desire to contribute to his community's welfare and to advocate for equal opportunities. His candidacy underscores the importance of diverse voices, particularly those from unconventional backgrounds, in shaping policy.

With a background in software engineering, election security, and technology law and policy research, Ramaswami stands as the Democratic contender for the State Senate in Georgia's District 48. His candidacy aims to unseat Republican incumbent Shawn Still, indicted alongside former President Donald Trump for the January 6 Capitol insurrection.

Should he win, Ramaswami would not only become Georgia's first Gen Z State Senator but also the sole legislator in the state possessing both a computer science and law degree. His victory would also mark a historic milestone as the first Indian American to serve in the Georgia State legislature.

Ramaswami's platform prioritises accessible education, economic opportunity, entrepreneurship, healthcare, and reproductive rights. Drawing from his Indian heritage, he emphasises values instilled by his upbringing and remains committed to leveraging technology for public good. Having worked with nonprofits, startups, and governmental agencies, including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Ramaswami brings a wealth of experience in utilising technology to address societal challenges.

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As a Stanford graduate in computer science, Ramaswami's journey reflects a deliberate shift towards public service, spurred by the recognition of the need for more tech-savvy individuals in government roles, particularly in cybersecurity and election security. Addressing the significance of his Gen Z background, Ramaswami highlights the political awareness prevalent among his generation. Despite facing barriers posed by a system skewed towards wealthier and older candidates, he remains determined to advocate for his peers and effect meaningful change.

In aspiring to represent his community and generation in the Georgia State legislature, Ashwin Ramaswami embodies the evolving face of American politics, characterised by diversity, innovation, and a commitment to inclusive governance.

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(Inputs from agencies)