Shrina Kurani, an Indian American Democrat, has announced that she will run for Congress in California’s 42nd Congressional District against 15-term Republican Ken Calvert in November 2022. Shrina Kurani, who was born in Riverside to Indian immigrant parents, announced her candidacy for Congress on Thursday. “I’m running for Congress to make things work better in Washington so we can develop a sustainable future and build an Inland Empire where people feel safe, healthy, and have opportunities to succeed in fulfilling jobs,” she said.

Kurani, an Indian American, described herself on her website as “an engineer, entrepreneur, and a fact-based problem solver, not a politician.” “While career Washington politicians like Ken Calvert are focused on helping themselves, their political parties, and their corporate donors, opportunities are out of reach for far too many people,” she said.

“Ken Calvert has been in Washington for nearly 30 years and has consistently voted against our interests. It’s time to take a different approach, “she continued.

Calvert was first elected in 1992 to represent California’s 42nd Congressional District.

Kurani earned a mechanical engineering degree from the University of California, Riverside, after graduating from La Sierra High School at the age of 16. According to a press release, she has worked to start businesses aimed at reducing waste and developing long-term food and water solutions. She’s also advised start-up businesses on how to make healthcare and education more affordable, accessible, equitable, and effective, according to the statement.

Dr. Ami Bera, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Pramila Jayapal are four Indian Americans in the House of Representatives.