Kumar P. Barve is a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing District 17 in Montgomery County, which includes the cities of Rockville and Gaithersburg. He was the first Indian-American to be elected to a state legislature in the United States, and served from 2002 to 2015 as the Majority Leader of the House of Delegates. In 2015, he was appointed as Chair of the House Environment and Transportation Committee, which oversees transportation, the environment, agriculture, ethics, and housing and real property law. His legislative work has focused largely on protecting the environment, improving health care, and the promotion of the high-tech industry in Maryland. He sponsored both the 1995 Health Access Act that places limits on HMOs for the first time and legislation that created the Technology Development Corporation of Maryland. He is running for Congress in 2016 in Maryland's 8th congressional district, an open seat being vacated by Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.)

 

Barve, a politician who has been very successful in the Maryland legislature, has now set his sights on Congress. An Indian American who is very proud of his Indian roots and his Hindu heritage he has great hopes for America. He is passionate about improving the lot of the middle class. “I want to make America a High-Wage nation” says Barve. “There are 4 million jobs for skilled trained workers in the US that are going vacant because there are not enough skilled workers.  We spent over $800 Billion on unnecessary wars. With a small investment of $20 billion and in partnerships with community colleges and the industry we can easily train our workforce” says Barve.

 

“Take the example of a welder who makes $40 – 70K a year. If we can give them specialized training in stainless steel welding, their income can go up to almost $100K a year. If low earning workers move to high wage jobs, we would have more openings for the jobs they vacate. Thus it will make a big dent on unemployment as well”.

 

What does he think about the current trend to outsource manufacturing? Will it reverse? “Corporate America is beginning to change. Boeing is a great example. The decision to outsource their Dreamliner came to haunt them. It was 70% over budget and had other issues.  They are now moving towards in-sourcing of manufacturing. Corporate America needs to have in-house research and development. It will help create a skilled workforce that will have a long-term impact on corporations while helping America progress,” says Barve.

 

“Incidentally my grandfather came to this country in 1911 as a research scientist to work at GE, where he was part of the team that invented broadcast technologies. Those inventions created entire new industries. At the 1876 World Fair, American machinery was the most advanced. The innovation and inventiveness of the old west made this happen. It was what distinguishes America and we need to invest in R&D to keep our edge”.

 

Barve is a strong democrat and will focus on increasing the number of democrats in congress and senate.  However he has a strong record of reaching out across the aisle. “Recently we passed legislation on storm water runoff which is one of the biggest pollutants in the Chesapeake Bay. We sat with the different parties and were able to craft something that made environmental sense while not being detrimental to corporations,” says Barve.

 

Barve is very proud of his Indian roots and his Hindu faith. “In the 60s I remember being bullied, even beaten because I was different.  I was made fun of when I said I do not go to Church on Easter.  At that time, my family and I decided I should learn karate and defend myself while standing up for my beliefs instead of hiding them. I was good at Karate and it helped me not only defend myself but allow me to intervene when others were being bullied. In my political career as well,  I do not give in to bullies. I stand up for my beliefs”.

 

What would agenda be vis-à-vis India and Indian Americans when he comes into office? “I have always been very accessible to our community and I will continue to do so.  I am a sponsor of the Dream Act and believe strongly in family reunification.  With respect to India, I think it is critical for two of the world’s largest democracies to work together. I am delighted that Obama and Modi have had positive relationships and I look forward to working to further the Indo-US relations”.

 

What can Indian Americans in New England do for Barve? “I can use the support of each and everyone to help me win the election.  Financial support is important for winning elections. Given that I am contesting for an open seat it is a very winnable election.  I feel very confident that I will win the primaries. Given that this is a very democrat leaning district, the democrat is most likely to win the elections” said Barve.  When he wins what sacred text will he use to take the oath? “I hope it will  on the copy of the Gita that my grandfather brought with him in 1911”.

 

He asks everyone to go to his website, kumarbarve.com or barveforcongress.com. To meet Barve while in Boston, please send an email to anil@lokvani.com.