(Image source from: www.indiawest.com)
An American of Indian-Tibetan descent Aftab Karma Singh Pureval, seeking to make his first entry into the United States House of Representatives, has attracted national attention after being endorsed by former U.S. President Barack Obama.
Top leaders from both sides have campaigned aggressively in Ohio's First Congressional District, where the young and vigorous Pureval, 35, is giving a tough fight to Republican Congressman Steve Chabot, 65, who has represented the seat since 1995, except for a brief period of 2009-2010.
Pureval is one of the few candidates to be endorsed by former Obama, who has been a star campaigner for the party this mid-term.
This is an "election that will decide the future of our country," Pureval, who is also of Tibetan origin and presently is Hamilton County Clerk of Courts, told hundreds of supporters at an election mass meeting in his Congressional District.
Running a hostile and imposing campaign, Pureval, political pundits say, has made it a "toss-us" seat, meaning it is no longer safe for the top Republican leader.
Sensing triumph, the top Democratic leadership over the past few days have been making a tremendous endeavor to secure the seat.
Pureval, who ended his election night eve by thanking first responders, has outraised Chabot.
As per the latest figures from the Federal Election Commission, Pureval has raised USD 3.4 million as against USD 1.57 million till October 17.
On Sunday the Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez too campaigned for Pureval.
"We need leaders like Aftab Pureval who will hold the Trump administration and congressional Republicans accountable for their constant attacks on Medicaid. It's time to show them the door tomorrow," Perez said.
However, the Chabot campaign has accused him of campaign finance violations. Earlier this week the Ohio Elections Commission fined him USD 100 after it determined that his team has improperly used clerk of court campaign funds to pay a photographer USD 360 for a photo shoot for his Congressional campaign.
Two other campaign finance violation charges against him were dismissed by the Ohio Elections Commission. But the Chabot campaign has made it an election issue. But his campaign manager Sarah Topy stepped down just days before the elections.
"Aftab Pureval's entire campaign has been accompanied by one effort after another to delay, distract, and cover up the truth," the Chabot campaign alleged. The allegations did have an impact on his campaign.
The New York Times, in its latest poll earlier this week said that Pureval is trailing by nine percentage points.
If elected, Pureval would be the first Tibetan American to enter the U.S. House of Representative. He was the first Democrat to get appointed as the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts in over 100 years.
-Sowmya Sangam
