Neal Walia runs for U.S. Congress to “DO DENVER BETTER” Learn more about Neal Walia’s campaign, the issues he will work to address, and sign up to volunteer at:
nealwaliaforcongress.com
Neal Walia, is running for Congress in Colorado’s First Congressional District (CD-1) which is based primarily in the city of Denver. On June 28, 2022, the Democratic primary election results will determine if Walia advances to the general election in November and if the city of Denver will have its first person of color in this seat in U.S. Congress, as no Republican candidates have registered for this year’s general election. A son of Indian immigrants, Walia was born in Seattle, Washington and moved to Denver at the age of 11. He would later attend CU-Boulder for undergrad CU-Denver for a dual master’s degree in criminal justice and public administration. “I am running because I want to be a champion for our most vulnerable communities,” said Walia. “I want our communities to have a representative who lives their struggles and will fight to fix them, as if their lives depended on it, because my life does.”
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May 2022 | Get Out the Vote
Walia is running against incumbent Diana DeGette, who is the longest-serving member of the Colorado Delegation. She has been been representing the Denver area in Congress since 1997 and would be seeking her 14th term in Congress. Walia has said that Denver needs “a new generation of leadership,” as he has received numerous endorsements from Colorado elected officials including PK Kaiser, Arapahoe County Assessor; Obi Ezeadi, Westminster City Councilor, and Joe Salazer, former Colorado State Representative. Walia previously worked for the National Governors Association and Governor John Hickenlooper’s Office of Community Partnerships. As a progressive candidate, he will work to establish a green economy, create a system with housing for all, and ensure a commitment to small business. He said: “Small business ownership has been one of the most meaningful pathways that have allowed our communities to build a better life for our families. Denver’s small business community, in particular the AAPI small business community, has been instrumental in moving this
campaign forward and creating this historic moment. I’m incredibly grateful for the support we have received and am committed now more than ever to champion our people in the halls of Congress.” Growing up in an immigrant family, he saw the journey of his parents from their beginnings as service industry workers to their current careers as educators, which taught him what is possible when all people are given the opportunity to succeed. “Immigrants from around the world, especially Asian Americans, have long been a key player in the building of this country: socially, economically and politically. And whether you are in immigrant, a refugee or asylum seeker it is a key priority for me to build specific pathways for our families and communities to gain permanent citizenships.” If you are a registered Democrat in Denver (CD-1), you will have the opportunity to vote for Neal Walia in the June 28 primary election! Look for his name on the ballot!
Photo on Left: Walia’s dad proudly adjusts his tie before he gives a speech.
