Ashwin Madia Politician
Jigar Ashwin Madia, known as Ashwin Madia (born March 3, 1978), is an American attorney and Iraq War veteran who ran for the United States Congress in Minnesota's 3rd congressional district in 2008. He won the endorsement of the Minnesota Democratic Farmer Labor Party (DFL) against other candidates including State Senator Terri Bonoff (DFL); the only announced candidate for the Republican nomination was Erik Paulsen.His candidacy was announced after the incumbent, Jim Ramstad (Republican), announced his retirement in 2007, which gave an opportunity for both major parties to field potential candidates. The district was ranked as one of the top ten most likely to switch parties in 2008. However, after a challenging campaign, Madia received 40.9% of the vote and the district remained in the Republican column.Madia owns and manages an employment law and civil rights firm, Madia Law LLC, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He has served as the interim chairman of veteran advocacy organization VoteVets.org.