Indian American Community Backs Moore-Miller Reelection Bid at Maryland Fundraiser

Washington — Maryland Gov. Wes Moore highlighted the role of Asian American and Pacific Islander officials in his administration during a reelection fundraiser attended by Indian American community leaders in Maryland.

“The AAPI community runs deep in this administration,” Moore said. “And it’s not just because we believe in diversity, it’s because we believe in working with the best.”

The fundraiser was held at the Maryland home of Indian American physician Dr. Arul Vigg and drew Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller, elected officials, entrepreneurs, physicians and other community leaders.

Moore pointed to several Asian American officials serving in senior positions in his administration, including Susan Lee, Sanjay Rai, Portia Wu and Meena Seshamani.

He also praised Miller, describing the Indian-born lieutenant governor as a close partner in his administration.

“When we talk about what is the moral compass of the Moore-Miller administration, you do not have to look any further than our Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller,” Moore said.

Miller, who immigrated to the United States from India as a child, said the gathering reflected the immigrant community’s belief in opportunity and civic participation. Before becoming lieutenant governor, she served in the Maryland House of Delegates and worked for Montgomery County’s transportation department.

“As an immigrant, when I look across this room and see our AAPI community, we all believe in the American dream,” Miller said.

She cited Indian American entrepreneur Anil Sharma as an example of immigrant business success, saying he arrived in the United States with limited resources before building technology company 22nd Century Technologies.

“You bring success, you earn success, but you give back to your community,” Miller said.

During his remarks, Moore also criticized policies pursued by President Donald Trump’s administration, including federal workforce reductions, immigration enforcement operations and National Guard deployments.

Moore said Maryland had instead emphasized cooperation between state and local law enforcement agencies and community organizations.

He also said violent crime in Maryland had fallen nearly 60% during his tenure, a figure he has cited repeatedly during his reelection campaign.

Miller pointed to the response to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge as another achievement of the administration, noting that the main federal shipping channel was reopened 11 weeks after the disaster.

Moore urged supporters to remain involved in the campaign as he and Miller seek another term.

“While there has been progress, we know the job is not done and we are ready to finish the job,” Moore said.

Moore became Maryland’s first Black governor when he took office in January 2023. Miller became the state’s first immigrant lieutenant governor and the first woman of color elected to statewide office in Maryland. (Source: IANS)