Former State Senator Swati Dandekar launched her Congressional campaign yesterday in Marion, saying she is a “testament that the American dream is alive.” I’ve posted her official bio and news release after the jump; her campaign is online at Swati Dandekar for Congress. James Q. Lynch reported on yesterday’s event, where Dandekar emphasized her commitment to education and helping to create “jobs that pay living wages.”

Dandekar won multiple elections in swing Iowa legislative districts. While her moderate image may have crossover appeal, getting through the Democratic primary will be a major challenge. Dandekar said yesterday that she was encouraged by conversations with voters across IA-01. But key factions in the Democratic base resent aspects of her legislative record and the fact that she put the Iowa Senate majority at risk by accepting a position on the Iowa Utilities Board in 2011. Furthermore, the Democratic primary competition in IA-01 includes Cedar Rapids City Council member Monica Vernon, a onetime Republican who will draw support from Linn County moderates.

Any comments about the IA-01 campaign are welcome in this thread.

Official bio from Dandekar’s campaign website:

Swati Dandekar of Marion, Iowa was first elected to the Iowa House of Representatives in 2002. She served the Marion, Iowa area in that capacity until she was elected to represent them in the Iowa Senate in 2009. She was the chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, vice chair of the Economic Development Budget subcommittee, and was elected President of the National Foundation of Women Legislators in 2011.

In 2011 Dandekar was appointed as the Democratic member of the Iowa Utilities Board. Until her resignation from the Board she was a member of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) and served on the NARUC Committee on Telecommunications and the Committee on International Relations. Dandekar was also a member of the Mid-American Regulatory Conference and served on the Advisory Council of the Iowa Energy Center in Ames. In addition, she serves on the advisory board of the National Science Foundation’s Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research and is a member of the Federal-State Joint Conference on Advance Telecommunications Services and on the board of directors for the Smart Grid Interoperability Panel.

Dandekar holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry from Nagpur University and a post graduate diploma in dietetics from Bombay University in India. She served on the Linn-Mar School Board, the Iowa Association of School Boards, Vision Iowa Board, U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy, Iowa Math and Science Coalition, Greater Cedar Rapids Foundation, Belin-Blank International Center for Gifted and Talented, Iowa Innovation Council, and Iowa Public Health Commission.

Honors bestowed upon Dandekar include the 2000 J.C. Penney Education Golden Rule Award, India Abroad 2002 Person of the Year, 2003 Pillar of the Community Award from Waypoint, Asian Alliance of Iowa 2003 Person of the Year, 2004 Flemming Institute Fellow, Iowa’s 2006 Passport to Prosperity Award, and Asian Week’s 2008 Asia Pacific American Person of the Year.

Swati and her husband, Arvind, reside in Marion, Iowa. They have two sons, Ajai with wife, Allison, and sons Evan and William, as well as Govind, his wife Shaneeda, and daughter Ayaana.

SWATI DANDEKAR TO RUN FOR 1ST DISTRICT CONGRESSIONAL SEAT

Marion, IA – July 23, 2013 – Swati Dandekar (Marion Democrat) today is formally announcing her candidacy for the 1st Congressional District.

“Over the past few months I have been exploring a run for the 1st Congressional District. I have met with voters across the district and have been encouraged by their support for my campaign. Last May I formed an exploratory committee, chaired by Senator Wally Horn of Cedar Rapids and Tina Patterson of Marion. With their help, we have made a thorough assessment of the race and I now feel confident that I can win the Democratic nomination next June and the election in November of 2014.”

Dandekar is a former Iowa legislator representing the Marion area in the Iowa House of Representatives from 2003 to 2009 and in the Iowa Senate from 2009 to 2011. From 2011 until recently she served as a member of the Iowa Utilities Board.

During her years in public office she was a strong voice for job creation, working to bring advanced technology and skilled jobs to the state. Born in India, Swati came to Iowa in 1973. As a proud naturalized American citizen she believes the foundation for success is an excellent education. Dandekar recognizes the importance of agriculture, advanced manufacturing, technology and renewable energy to the district and believes that the future opportunities in Northeast Iowa will stem from expanding these sectors.

“We must keep this seat in Democratic hands and continue the strong representation established by Congressman Bruce Braley. I have a strong a record of putting good public policy above politics and I will work tirelessly for the citizens of the District, just as I have in each public position I have held in the past. I am running for congress because I truly understand the promise that the United States offers and I want to make sure that every Iowan is given the same opportunity that I had. I am a living testament that the American dream is alive.”