Ashwin Ramaswami, a 25-year-old Democrat, is making waves as the first Gen Z Indian-American candidate running for a Georgia State Senate seat. Proudly identifying as part of Gen Z, Ramaswami emphasizes his unique background as the son of immigrants. “I’m a computer scientist and I hold a B.S. in Computer Science from Stanford University and a JD from Georgetown University Law Center. I chose to work in public service, focusing on cybersecurity and election security in the federal government,” he states on his official campaign website, Ashwin for Georgia.
Raised in Johns Creek, Georgia, Ramaswami’s parents emigrated to the United States in the 1990s. Although he was born in the US, he maintains a deep connection to his Indian roots and culture, influenced by his parents’ heritage from Tamil Nadu. In a previous interview, he expressed his interest in Indian culture and philosophy.
Unlike many politicians, Ramaswami’s social media is brimming with content that reflects his burgeoning political career. He frequently sends greetings to his Hindu and Indian friends and family during festivals. In one post, he wished his followers, “Happy Tamil New Year and Happy Vishu!” Another post featured him in traditional Indian attire, where he shared his experiences during the nine-day Hindu festival of Navaratri, stating, “The final day, Vijayadashami or Dussehra, represents the victory of truth over evil. Let the power of Devi, the divine feminine, guide us in all our endeavours.”
Ramaswami’s commitment to his cultural heritage extends beyond social media; he also teaches classes for high school students about Hindu philosophy and culture. At Georgetown University, he played a key role in raising $100,000 to establish an endowment for Dharmic programs, benefiting students from various traditions, including Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh, and Jain backgrounds.
