Suhas Subramanyam

REPLACING:

Jennifer Wexton (D) [i]

WORK HISTORY:

Virginia State Senate (Member, District 32); Pebble (Chairman); Virginia House of Delegates (Member, District 87); Level (Counsel); Barker Pitelka PLLC (Of Counsel); S2 Impact LLC (Partner); The White House (Policy & Advisor & Special Assistant for Technology Policy; Jones Day (Associate); Office of US Senator Dick Durbin (Judiciary Committee Law Clerk); Office of US Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas (Legislative Assistant) [ii]

EDUCATION:

JD, Northwestern University; BA, Tulane University [iii]

CAMPAIGNED ON:

Economy & Job Creation; Protecting Women’s Healthcare; Responsible Gun Ownership; Environmental Protection & Renewable Energy; Getting Money out of Politics; Safeguarding our Democracy; Boosting Healthcare Access & Affordability; Innovation & Emerging Technology [iv]

On the Issues

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS:

In the Virginia General Assembly, Subramanyam sponsored a constitutional amendment that would protect reproductive freedom in the state. [v] He believes that Congress “must prioritize making sure everyone, no matter their zip code, has access to affordable, reliable, and safe reproductive health care.” He supports in-vitro fertilization. [vi]

IMMIGRATION & BORDER SECURITY:

Subramanyam wants to support legislation that “will help legal immigrants here on the path to citizenship,” adding that “I do want to make sure that we are talking about comprehensive immigration reform and we are talking about deportations and border security and we don’t forget people who have been so integral to our country and to our community here in Virginia.” [vii]

ECONOMY & JOBS:

Subramanyam’s campaign platform advocates for domestic manufacturing, infrastructure investment, and “continuing to strengthen the middle class.” He also highlights creating an “environment that allows for innovation to flourish” in blockchain technology and artificial technology. [viii] In the Virginia General Assembly, he co-patroned a bill to raise the minimum wage that took effect in 2023. [ix]

TAXES:

In 2023, Subramanyam voted against a Republican-supported tax bill in Virginia that would have doubled the standard deduction, provided a tax deduction of $12,000 for seniors, and permitted a deduction up to $4,000 for contributions to a prepaid college savings account. [x] That year, he opposed a proposal, supported by Governor Youngkin, that he argued would “give $1billion in tax cuts to the wealthy & corporations.” [xi]

CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY:

After the murder of George Floyd, Subramanyam argued “We must reform our criminal justice system and the way we approach law enforcement.” He released a set of policy positions and cosponsored bills that included declaring racism a public health crisis, calling for comprehensive reform of the justice system (including automatic expungements, reforming solitary confinement, and bail reform), preventing excessive force, and replacing law enforcement’s role in certain areas with trained specialists. [xii]

CLIMATE CHANGE, ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT:

The League of Conservation Voters endorsed Subramanyam and has given him a 100% lifetime score for his voting record. [xiii] He supports a “bold agenda to promote the environment and conservation, all while creating jobs and economic opportunity for small businesses.”[xiv] He opposed Dominion Energy’s proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline. [xv]

FOREIGN POLICY:

Subramanyam has expressed optimism that the Trump administration “seems to be supportive of strengthening the US-India relationship.” [xvi] He has said a ceasefire in Gaza would be ideal as long as hostages are returned and Hamas are not allowed to regroup and continue the war. [xvii] His primary victory was applauded by the Democratic Majority for Israel. [xviii] Regarding the war in Ukraine, he has said, “I don’t support forever wars, but we must stop Russian aggression and support Ukraine and other democracies around the globe from invasions that could turn into global conflicts. In Congress, I will fight to protect Ukraine and also ensure we have long term peace and stability in the region.” [xix]

HEALTHCARE & SOCIAL SAFETY NET:

In the Virginia General Assembly, Subramanyam supported a bill that required transparency in drug pricing. [xx] His campaign platform include allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices, expand access to mental health providers, and “confront the issue” of rising home-based long-term care. [xxi]

DEMOCRACY:

Subramanyam opposes restrictive voter ID laws and pledges to protect early voting and combat gerrymandering. He believes that “our democracy is under attack” and “it is more critical than ever to safeguard our fragile democratic institutions.” He supports campaign finance reform as well as preventing members of Congress from trading individual stocks. [xxii]

SOCIAL ISSUES:

Subramanyam has argued “let’s #fundourschools instead of book bans and attacking LGBTQ kids,” and has opposed Republican efforts in the Virginia General Assembly to discriminate against transgender students. [xxiii] [xxiv]