Washington, DC – As the Democratic National Convention approaches, Ankit Jain stands poised to be elected as DC’s non-voting Senator, a pivotal role in the ongoing battle for DC statehood. In an exclusive interview with IAT, Jain reflects on his primary victory, outlines his vision for the Senator role, and shares his thoughts on the statehood movement.
Jain’s path to victory was not without its moments of uncertainty. “It was a bit of a process,” he recalls of watching the votes come in. “At first, the initial results looked good, but it was still very early.” His initial lead of 8% slowly dwindled, making the outcome uncertain as Election Day progressed. However, as the final votes were tallied over the coming days, he ended up winning by slightly more than 8% and over 6,500 votes. The suspense was palpable, but in the end, the victory was sweet. “I was just very happy that we were able to show people what was possible,” Jain says with pride. “I ran as a first-time candidate, someone who was involved in the community but wasn’t necessarily the establishment candidate.”
Jain’s campaign was a testament to the power of grassroots efforts and principled campaigning. “A lot of people didn’t take me seriously when I first launched,” he admits. Yet, his victory proved that a candidate could succeed without establishment backing, staying true to their principles. His campaign’s energy was fueled by the support and engagement of friends and supporters, who kept refreshing their feeds for updates throughout the tense election night.
Looking ahead, Jain emphasizes the dual approach he plans to take if elected as DC’s non-voting Senator: being reactive and proactive. He aims to challenge Congressional actions that impact DC’s rights while actively working to remove restrictions that limit the city’s autonomy. Jain specifically cites the prohibition on using local tax dollars for abortion services and the inability to legalize marijuana sales as issues he intends to address. Jain sees these restrictions as symptomatic of the larger issue of DC’s lack of autonomy, which he hopes to change by pushing for DC to become the 51st state .
Jain is also preparing for the general election, acknowledging the potential challenge of facing a candidate from the Republican party. Should he win, his top priority will be to advance the statehood movement. Jain is acutely aware that the success of this effort depends on the broader national political landscape. “If the Democrats gain control of the government, we will be in a strong position to advance statehood,” he explains. Conversely, if the Republicans take control, he plans to adopt a defensive stance, particularly against any moves that could threaten local governance.
Jain envisions transforming the non-voting Senator role into one that is more active and effective. “I want to change the nature and status of the role to make it more like that of a regular lobbyist and organizer,” he explains. He plans to organize campaigns and foster greater unity within the statehood movement. He notes that while several advocacy groups, such as DC Vote and the ACLU of DC, are heavily involved in the statehood movement, they often need more alignment and communication. Jain aims to break down these silos and bring various groups together to harness their collective strengths.
Statehood is Jain’s number one priority, and he is determined to ensure that DC statehood is included in the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act that Democrats have pushed for several years now. “Denying 700,000 taxpaying American citizens the right to vote is a serious attack on democracy,” he asserts, arguing that DC statehood is a perfect fit within that bill. Jain is committed to ensuring that when a favorable Congress is in place, DC statehood will be on the agenda.
Jain’s campaign was also a family affair, with each member playing a crucial role. His father, initially hesitant, became an adept signature collector, while his mother spent many hours verifying the validity of the signatures the team collected. His sister managed social media, and his brother was in charge of updating the campaign website. In the final days, his siblings engaged directly with voters, a collective effort that Jain credits as a significant factor in the campaign’s success.
If elected in November, Jain would make history as the first citywide Asian American elected official in DC and the first Indian American elected official above the Advisory Neighborhood Commission level. “This is an important milestone,” Jain reflects, “because it’s often harder for Asian Americans to get elected in this city.” His victory would be a powerful message to younger people and those who don’t fit traditional stereotypes of power, showing that they, too, can succeed in politics.
Jain has faced challenges beyond the campaign trail, including overcoming biases related to his name and ethnicity. “I’ve been told several times that my name might not help me in this election,” he shares, noting the importance of overcoming such hurdles not just for himself but for immigrants of all backgrounds. He hopes his journey inspires others, demonstrating that success in politics is possible regardless of one’s name, background, or religion.
Ankit Jain’s campaign is a powerful reminder of the possibilities that arise when one stands by one’s principles and works to foster unity and change. As he prepares for the general election and the challenges ahead, Jain’s vision for DC’s future is clear: a city with complete autonomy, where the voices of its residents are heard and respected.
Poonam Sharma
Poonam is a multi-media journalist, and Managing Editor of India America Today (IAT). She launched its print edition in 2019 with IAT's Founder and Editor, the late Tejinder Singh.
