South Asian Voices Rise: Community Leaders Rally Behind Bushra Amiwala in Historic Bid to Join a New Generation of Leaders in Congress

Chicago, IL: 
In the heart of Skokie, Illinois, where the aroma of spiced chai mingles with the buzz of passionate conversation, a vibrant gathering unfolded on February 8, 2026, at 7 Spices Restaurant. What could have been just another Sunday afternoon turned into a powerful display of community solidarity, as respected South Asian American leaders and residents came together to champion Bushra Amiwala's campaign for U.S. Congress in Illinois's 9th District.

Hosted by social activist and Lincolnwood resident Iftekhar Shareef, the community meet-and-greet drew an enthusiastic crowd eager to hear directly from the candidate and her supporters. The event captured the spirit of a district in transition: one shaped by decades of progressive leadership under retiring U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, now facing a crowded Democratic primary on March 17, 2026, with multiple contenders vying to carry the torch forward.

Bushra Amiwala, a 28-year-old daughter of South Asian immigrants, stands out not just for her youth but for her deep roots and proven record. Born in Chicago and raised in the very communities she seeks to represent from Rogers Park to Skokie, Evanston, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, and beyond she embodies the "homegrown fighter" her campaign proudly proclaims. As the first Gen Z elected official in the United States, Amiwala made history in 2019 when, at just 21, she won a seat on the Skokie School District 73.5 Board of Education. She has served with distinction for seven years, tackling budgets, ordinances, and community needs with a focus on equity and accessibility.

Before stepping into the congressional race full-time, Amiwala worked as a Solutions Consultant at Google for five years while pursuing her MBA at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. Yet her story begins much earlier. At 19, she ran for Cook County Commissioner in the 13th District, finishing a strong second against a long-time incumbent and earning nearly 14,000 votes a remarkable feat for a young, hijab-wearing, Muslim woman entering the arena at a time when many doubted South Asians could compete in electoral politics.

That early momentum has only grown. Supporters like Iftekhar Shareef, an active voice in Chicago's South Asian community, emphasized Amiwala's authenticity during the event. "She is from the community...grown up here, she knows every neighbor, every street," Shareef said, contrasting her lifelong residency with candidates from outside the district or those with established power but little local progress. He urged voters not to be swayed by polls or media narratives, recalling how underdog candidates have surprised expectations before.

Ahsan Khaja, a Lincolnwood resident and former candidate for Trustee, echoed this sentiment, calling Amiwala "our community’s daughter." He highlighted her journey through diverse schools in the district from struggling ones to top performers and her tireless outreach. "She's very intelligent and very down to earth. She reaches out to everybody in the community. Everybody loves her," Khaja noted, encouraging early voting to build unstoppable momentum.

Ahmed Khan, a lifelong 9th District resident and longtime community activist, brought historical perspective. Having run for office himself years ago when South Asian candidiasis were dismissed as improbable, Khan celebrated the evolution: today, diverse candidates across faiths and backgrounds are stepping up. He praised Amiwala's unique blend of experience of nonprofit work, corporate expertise, elected service, and a platform addressing real crises such as affordability, immigration reform, and public education funding.

Amiwala herself addressed the crowd with poise and purpose. Leaving her role at Google to campaign full-time, she framed her run as a fight for working-class families like her own, where the government provided a "hand up, not handout." Her priorities resonate deeply: Medicare for All to ensure universal healthcare access; clear pathways to citizenship amid visa challenges faced by South Asian professionals and students; and increased federal funding for public schools to break the link between zip codes and educational quality.

In a district grappling with rising groceries, rents, and benefit cuts, Amiwala's message cuts through: "All of that is at stake." She stands as the only lifelong resident in a field that includes mayors, state legislators, and newcomers, some backed by significant out-of-state funding or special interests. Her campaign website, BushraforCongress.com, details these policies and invites volunteers, donors, and prayers from supporters.

The event's energy was infectious laughter during photo ops, thumbs-up gestures, calls for "V for victory," and a shared sense of possibility. Attendees posed with signs, savored the restaurant's flavors, and left motivated to act before early voting locations expanded and Election Day arrived.

In a primary flooded with over a dozen Democratic candidates, Amiwala's appeal lies in her authenticity: a trailblazing young woman who has already delivered results locally, understands the immigrant experience firsthand, and refuses to let distant interests drown out community voices. As South Asian Americans and broader Asian communities rally, this meet-and-greet signaled more than support it marked a movement for representation that reflects the district's evolving diversity. With polls opening soon and early voting underway, the call is clear: come out, vote early if possible, and help send a homegrown leader to Washington who fights for everyone.

Bushra Amiwala's campaign is a beacon of hope for Asian American communities nationwide. As the daughter of immigrants who rose to become the first Gen Z elected official, she proves that youth, grit, and deep community ties can shatter barriers in politics. In this pivotal moment for Illinois' 9th District, her story reminds us that true representation comes from those who live with the issues every day, not from those who merely campaign on them. Asian Media USA proudly amplifies voices like hers, because when our communities rise together, America grows stronger. Let's support this trailblazer and build a future we all deserve.