Washington/Annapolis, Maryland/Hyderabad: After becoming the first immigrant to hold the office of Lieutenant Governor in Maryland, Indian-American Democrat Aruna Miller said that ever since she came to the US in 1972, she has "never stopped being excited for the promise of America". The 58-year-old, who is said to have her roots in Hyderabad, immigrated to the US from India when she was seven.
In a series of tweets after winning Tuesday's midterm elections, Aruna wrote: "Ever since I came to this country in 1972, I've never stopped being excited for the promise of America. I will never stop fighting to make sure that promise is available to everyone. And this promise begins with a commitment to deliver a Maryland where we Leave No One Behind."
Aruna was the running mate of Wes Moore, who has been elected as Maryland's first African-American Governor, defeating Republican Dan Cox in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-1. Thanking her voters, Aruna said she wants to build a Maryland where people feel safe in their communities and in their skin.
"Before I ask you for anything, I want to thank you for everything. Thank you for being here today and for being a part of this moment. We need you. We need your hope, we need your stories, we need your partnership, and I can promise you this, we're only just getting started," Auna tweeted.
"Maryland, tonight you showed the nation what a small but mighty state can do when democracy is on the ballot. You chose unity over division, expanding rights over restricting rights, hope over fear. You chose Wes Moore and me to be your next Governor and Lieutenant Governor," she added.
From 2010 to 2018, Aruna represented District 15 in the Maryland House of Delegates. She ran for Congress in 2018 in Maryland's 6th Congressional District, finishing second in a crowded field of eight candidates. Aruna is married to Dave Miller, with whom she has three daughters. She currently resides in Montgomery County.
Who is Aruna Miller?
''I am an engineer. Not a politician,'' Aruna said when she first got a Democratic Party ticket in the 2010 elections. Aruna was born to Katragadda Venkata Rama Rao and Hemalatha, from Ventrapragada village of Andhra Pradesh's Krishna district. Rao was an engineer with IBM and migrated to America in 1972 when Aruna was seven.
Aruna graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in Civil Engineering. She had worked as a transportation engineer in Virginia, Hawaii, and California. In 1990, she moved to the Maryland Montgomery Council Department of Transportation. She married her friend Dave Miller. She is interested in social service and she was firm that schools, employment, and community centers were to be made accessible to all. Her programmes on accessibility to the disabled, pedestrians and cyclists were well received. After serving for many years, she retired in 2015.
Aruna, became an American citizen in 2000, and casted her first vote in the US. He became an activist and was offered to run for a delegate by Democratic party in 2010. Courtesy, her flamboyance and popularity. Yet, she refused. Her husband motivated her to enter the political arena. She won the first competition and became the first Indian American delegate to Maryland. Even though she grew up in America, she never forgot her Indian roots, her close friends say "She has immense love for our culture and traditions. After winning for the first time, she brought the governor of her state to India and entered into partnership agreements in many business sectors."
She was elected as a delegate for the second time in 2014. Member of key committees like Revenue, and Transport, etc. She was part of the Hillary Clinton's team, the first woman to contest for the post of US president. Aruna caught the world's attention with a saree and a red dot on her forehead. she contested for the House of Representatives in 2018 and lost, before becoming LG-elect of Maryland.
Aruna actively campaigned for Joe Biden when he ran for President. Biden and Kamala Harris reciprocated it by campaigning on her behalf despite they holding offices of President and Vice President. She fought for the right to education, 'Labour Day' in school, changes in environmental policies, and against the availability of stray weapons. Her fight fructified on certain occasions with some of them becoming policies.
"They say that there is no difference between boys and girls when it comes to achieving. My sister and I were encouraged to do whatever we wanted. That support fostered a dashing mentality. I say the same thing to my three girls," says Aruna. The 58-year-old Aruna is described as 'fire brand' by the people of Maryland.
As the news trickled out in her native village, the relatives and residents broke into celebration. Ventrapragada village where Aruna's family has an ancestral home was brimming with happiness. Her uncle Nageswara Rao lives there with his family here. Relatives were exuberated with Aruna's win. Aruna has scripted history and had brought regards for the entire Telugu community, they said. Aruna still visits her native at least once a year. The villagers and the relatives are looking forward to her visit.
Wes Moore-Maryland's first Black governor
Moore's victory flips a governor's office from Republican to Democratic. Of the 36 governor's races this year, Maryland and Massachusetts represented the best chances for Democrats to regain a governor's office at a time when the GOP holds a 28-22 edge in governor's seats.
Only two other Black politicians have ever been elected governor in the United States — Virginia's Douglas Wilder in 1989, and Deval Patrick of Massachusetts in 2006. In Georgia, Democrat Stacey Abrams lost her bid to become the nation's first Black female governor in her rematch against Republican Gov. Brian Kemp. With the slogan "leave no one behind," Moore, a combat veteran and former CEO of one of the nation's largest anti-poverty organizations, campaigned on creating equal opportunity for Maryland residents.
Massachusetts' Healey is 1st lesbian elected governor in US
Democratic Attorney General Maura Healey has been elected governor of Massachusetts, making history as the nation's first openly lesbian governor. Healey, the state’s first woman and openly gay candidate elected to the office, defeated Republican Geoff Diehl, a former state representative who had the endorsement of former President Donald Trump.
Her election returns the governor’s office to Democrats after eight years of Republican leadership under the popular Gov. Charlie Baker, who opted not to seek reelection. Healey was also one of two openly lesbian candidates who ran to be a governor in the country. Healey and Democrat Tina Kotek, a candidate for governor in Oregon, each began the day with a chance to become the first open lesbian elected governor of a state. (with Agency inputs)
