I believe this diversity both reflects the strength of Pennsylvania and the opportunity to reflect our changing population in our policies. One example is recognizing Diwali – the Hindu Festival of Lights – under state law. That is something that is very important to my culture and community, yet would never have been considered without diverse voices promoting it.
Meet the Candidate
Next, read this post of our 2024 primary election season series ‘Political Q&A’ with progressive candidates throughout Pennsylvania. Candidates can be anywhere in Pennsylvania running for any level of office. Please note that these are not necessarily endorsements, more of an opportunity for candidates to connect with the LGBTQ community, progressives neighbors, and others with an interest in Western Pennsylvania. If your candidate would like to participate in ase contact us pghlesbian at gmail dot com. We welcome candidates at all levels of government across the entire Commonwealth.
These Q&A’s are lengthy because there is a lot of ground to cover.
By participating in this Q&A series, candidates are saying that they
- are an LGBTQIA+ ally, specifically supporting equality and dignity for transgender persons
- identify as pro-choice
- recognize the 2020 election of President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris
I’ve had the privilege of interviewing Arvind Venkat – link below – in his previous electiontwo years ago.
Now, it really is interesting to see the Northern suburbs skew toward progressive candidates. Rep Venkat achieved unanimous consent to recognize the Hindi celebration of Diwali as an official state holiday. That’s truly a significant reflection of how representation can shift the government to reflect the values of the community. His work on easing medical debt and his insight into the realities LGBTQ people face are invaluable bode well for the future.
Name: Arvind Venkat
Pronouns: He / Him
Office Sought: Representative in the General Assembly
How do you describe your identity? I am a cisgender, Indian-American, man. My parents and I immigrated to this country, and my identity as South Asian is very important to me and my community.
My campaign is on the frontline of the Democratic majority. In many ways it is literally the 102nd seat that Democrats needed to determine the priorities of the legislature. Those include expanding access to the ballot box and protecting your votes, ensuring that abortion remains safe and legal, and making equitable investments in our public education system.
Tell us about your district. What is a hidden gem most people might not know about? My district is a microcosm of Pennsylvania. We have affluent suburban areas alongside more working class neighborhoods. We also have a diverse population, with close to 15% being minorities. Finally, we have a large number of health professionals, scientists, and educators who reside here.
How has your understanding of your district changed after your first term in office?
I have had the pleasure of knocking on more than 20,000 doors since I started running for office. This has given me the chance to get to know far more members of my community than I ever thought I could. I feel deeply connected to my district and grounded in the priorities I hear from them every day.
Do you support reelecting President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024? Why or why not?
Yes. Re-electing President Biden and Vice President Harris is critical for the health of our democracy now more than ever. The threat posed by extremism like that of former President Trump is simply too great to allow as the leader of our nation.
The class of 2022 has been touted as the most diverse ever. Western PA sent three openly LGBTQ women, one of whom is Black, one a Jewish woman, and one autistic. We elected a Jewish man as Governor and a Black man as Lt. Governor. And we sent Summer Lee, a Black woman to the US Congress. You are the first Indian-American representative from this region. How did all of this representation manifest in the work of the General Assembly?
I believe this diversity both reflects the strength of Pennsylvania and the opportunity to reflect our changing population in our policies. One example is recognizing Diwali – the Hindu Festival of Lights – under state law. That is something that is very important to my culture and community, yet would never have been considered without diverse voices promoting it. I would also say that as the only physician in the legislature, I believe my perspective has changed and better informed the ways we talk about and legislate on health issues.
You are part of the newly formed Pennsylvania Legislative Asian Pacific American Caucus. Please tell us about this caucus. We now have five members of the Asian-American community as state legislators. As a caucus, we have worked to recognize the contributions of and issues facing the Asian-American community in our state.
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One of your major policy initiatives has been reducing medical debt. Why is this good for your district? Is medical debt a public health issue? This program will allow us to eliminate over $100 in medical debt for every dollar we invest in Pennsylvanians. As a result, we can help hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians directly and reduce the cost of healthcare for the entire state. Fundamentally it makes past and future healthcare more affordable and accessible to all people, which is critical to my district and our entire state.
How has your familiarity with the LGBTQ community in Pennsylvania evolved in your first term? Interacting with the LGBTQ community in my district had taught me both the importance of ensuring equality and dignity for all Pennsylvanians and recognizing that love is love, whatever form that takes.
What specific legislative actions have you supported to affirm LGBTQIA residents? This session, my proudest moment was to join my colleagues in the House to pass the PA Fairness Act. I proudly voted for it and will continue to support it. Additionally, I proudly voted for banning the so-called “gay panic” defense, which I will continue to oppose if reelected. Finally, I have continued active outreach to the LGBTQ+ community in my district and will continue to do so.
As a physician, you must be aware of nationwide efforts to legislate healthcare for trans folx, especially youth. What consequences do these efforts have on healthcare for trans folx and their families?
As an Emergency Physician, I know the impact that affirmation has on LGBTQ people–especially LGBTQ youth. Respecting people and affirming their identities is literally life-saving. Even one adult using the correct pronouns for a transgender or nonbinary child decreases their risk of suicidality by 50%. In contrast, restricting healthcare for the LGBTQ community is literally deadly and something I will not support and continue to speak against.
The Democrats gained control of the PA House in 2022. What impact did that have on Pennsylvania politics overall? Together we’ve been able to focus on preserving democracy, protecting reproductive rights, and legislating on the public health crisis that is gun violence in our communities. These are far more productive priorities than we’ve seen in past legislatures.
As of mid-January, three anti-LGBTQ bills have already been introduced in Pennsylvania. Nationwide, 343 bills are active in 36 states, a number I expect will exponentially grow by the time we publish this Q&A. Pennsylvania legislators want to disregard sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools, both in terms of class curricula (PA HB319) and banning participation in sports (PA HB216.) How is this election tied to stopping this onslaught targeting transgender children and adults? This election, unfortunately like so many others, will include choices between hate, fear, and extremism or love, support, and common sense – the ongoing targeting of transgender people will certainly be part of that choice. I am proud to stand with the LGBTQ community against these discriminatory bills.
Public environmental health in this district includes everything from fracking to air emissions to miles of freight train rails. You’ve announced several grants to address waste water treatment and wastewater runoff. Talk about the impact of this work in your district.
As an emergency physician and clinical researcher who has published on the impact of the environment on health, I am committed to addressing this issue. The grants for which I have successfully advocated help my community’s environment, quality of life, health, and well-being.
Western Pennsylvania was heavily represented, in the number of dioceses with credible allegations and victims in the Attorney General Report on Sexual abuse in the Catholic Church – including some of my friends and neighbors. How will you advocate for the victims and survivors on the state level?
I believe we need a window for victims to seek justice from this awful tragedy and have voted accordingly.
Another significant issue is the refusal of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Block Communications to provide a fair workplace or to honor their legal obligations. This is terrible for labor, but also destroying our flagship media resource. Have you taken the pledge to avoid speaking to the Post-Gazette scab employees? Upon election, what can your office do to save Pittsburgh’s daily newspaper and the fourth estate? I have taken this pledge, voted for a number of pro-labor initiatives, and stood with striking journalists against these union-busting efforts.
Voter turnout is a significant concern, especially for municipal/local elections. What advice would you offer to organizations and groups concerned with turnout in Pennsylvania?
My election was the most expensive competitive state house race in Pennsylvania in 2022 and had particularly high turnout. This was in part because the communities here are deeply active in politics, organizing and door knocking at every level, every year, for every election. I do the same, knocking over 20,000 doors in my district, including last year when not on the ballot. If you’re concerned about turnout – get out and help remind folks to vote!
As an Emergency Physician, I know the impact that affirmation has on LGBTQ people–especially LGBTQ youth. Respecting people and affirming their identities is literally life-saving. Even one adult using the correct pronouns for a transgender or nonbinary child decreases their risk of suicidality by 50%
You drafted and sponsored the legislation that officially recognizes Diwali as a state observed holiday. Please tell us briefly about Diwali and the impact of this recognition for all Pennsylvanias.
Known as the “Festival of Lights,” approximately 1,000,000,000 people around the world celebrate Diwali as a day of thanksgiving and celebration. The festival lasts five days, with the third day marking the day celebrated as “Diwali.”
Though it originates from Hinduism, thousands of Americans of South Asian descent of many religions celebrate Diwali each year including thousands of Pennsylvanians.
I am humbled as the only Indian-American State Representative in Pennsylvania to bring this legislation forward as a marker of the integration of the South Asian community into the fabric of our state.
Tell us about your endorsements.
I”m proud to be endorsed by the Allegheny County Democratic Committee, the Allegheny-Fayette Labor Council, 314 Action, the Young Democrats of Allegheny County, and the Steel City Stonewall Democrats..
Finally, what are three reasons people should vote for you/support your campaign?
My campaign is on the frontline of the Democratic majority. In many ways it is literally the 102nd seat that Democrats needed to determine the priorities of the legislature. Those include expanding access to the ballot box and protecting your votes, ensuring that abortion remains safe and legal, and making equitable investments in our public education system. If you believe those are good priorities to have, then my campaign will be on the front lines of fighting for those things again this year.
Please list your social media accounts and your donation links.
twitter.com/VenkatforPA
Is there anything else you’d like to add? Thank you for the opportunity to share my candidacy with your readers!
Q&A with Arvind Venkat, Candidate for PA House District 30 (2022)
Other Q&A’s
In addition, read other Q&A’s in this election cycle series. You can read previous cycle Q&A’s here. If your candidate would like to participate, please contact us pghlesbian at gmail dot com.
- 2024 Political Q&A with Makenzie White: What You Need to Know About This Candidate for PA Senate District 45
- 2024 Political Q&A with Summer Lee: What You Need to Know About This Candidate for US House District 12
- 2024 Political Q&A with ArvindVenkat: What You Need to Know About This Incumbent Candidate for PA House District 30
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