Chicago, Dec 15 (NationPress) The escalating costs of living, worries surrounding immigration, job losses, and fears of reductions to Social Security and Medicare are significantly influencing Indian American entrepreneur Neil Khot’s campaign for the US House of Representatives from Illinois’ 8th Congressional District. Khot is launching a grassroots Democratic campaign to fill the seat being vacated by Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi.

Khot emphasized that discussions with constituents throughout the district reveal a common theme of economic strain and unpredictability. “People are concerned that their insurance premiums are climbing,” he stated. “Interest rates are extraordinarily high, leading to a general sense of unaffordability. Many cannot manage housing costs or daily groceries.” He noted that business owners are anxious due to uncertainty in trade policies, explaining that there is “no clear tariff position, making it difficult for them to decide on necessary actions,” he shared with IANS during an interview.

The issue of immigration enforcement has also emerged as a pivotal concern, according to Khot. “Individuals are anxious. Business owners fear being 'dragged, kidnapped, and taken,'” he remarked, referencing apprehensions regarding immigration raids. As a first-generation immigrant, Khot finds this issue personally significant. “We should never feel that the current administration has made us believe that America is unwelcoming,” he said. “America should extend a welcoming hand, as it did for me.”

Khot stated that safeguarding the welfare of seniors is a key element of his agenda, emphasizing the importance of maintaining entitlement programs. “I will advocate for my seniors to ensure that Medicare and Social Security are preserved,” he asserted, further advocating for the protection of benefits like SNAP and healthcare. “In the wealthiest nation, we should not have healthcare leading to financial ruin for families.”

Presenting himself as an outsider to Washington politics, Khot asserted that he is “not a career politician” but a “small business entrepreneur” with decades of community engagement. He stated that his campaign is dedicated to “advocating for immigrants and hardworking families,” while also ensuring that “business owners have the right opportunities to operate effectively.”

The upcoming Democratic primary is set for March 17, and Khot expressed that his campaign, which is approximately eight months old, has already secured a ballot position. “Our campaign is grassroots-driven, focused on supporting our community,” he said, noting that outreach efforts have commenced across the nearly 25 villages and eight townships within the district. Plans for television advertisements, mail campaigns, and enhanced field operations are slated to kick off in mid-January.

Khot outlined the demographic composition of the district as a critical component of his strategy. The constituency comprises about 750,000 residents, with approximately 60 percent identifying as white, around 24 percent as Hispanic or South American, and between 12 to 16 percent as South Asian, alongside smaller groups of other minorities. “Most of our voters are likely to be aged 50 and above,” he noted. “This is a significant dynamic for the entire district.”

He indicated that his strategy is to cultivate support across various communities, particularly focusing on white voters, followed by Hispanic and South Asian constituents. Fundraising and volunteer efforts have drawn support from across the nation, including from California, Washington, DC, Atlanta, Chicago, and the Midwest. “We require proper representation,” Khot stated, highlighting the importance of national support for Indian American and South Asian communities.

Khot acknowledged the guidance he has received from Krishnamoorthi’s office, indicating that there is “an ongoing dialogue about voter concerns and district priorities.” He commended the outgoing congressman’s record, stating, “I trust that he will be an excellent senator representing the entire state of Illinois.”

On matters of foreign policy, Khot emphasized that the United States should restore its position as a positive global partner. “We have always led the charge for democracy worldwide,” he remarked, opposing what he characterized as an aggressive stance abroad and advocating instead for a more welcoming approach to international relations. Regarding the India-US relationship, he stated, “The oldest democracy and the largest democracy should forge a stronger alliance.”

The 8th Congressional District of Illinois has been represented by Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi since 2017, and it is regarded as a stronghold for the Democratic Party. Krishnamoorthi is now campaigning for the US Senate in a competitive primary.

Over the past decade, Indian Americans have steadily increased their political presence in the United States, achieving greater representation in Congress, state legislatures, and local governments, reflecting the community’s expanding demographic and civic influence across the nation.