Sarahana Shrestha
Sarahana Shrestha | |
|---|---|
_NYS_Sarahana_Shrestha.jpg) | |
| Member of the New York State Assembly from the 103rd district | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Kevin Cahill |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Sarahana Shrestha March 5, 1981[1] Kathmandu, Nepal |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Other political affiliations | Democratic Socialists of America Working Families Party |
| Education | New York Institute of Technology (BS) |
| Signature |  |
Sarahana Shrestha (born March 5, 1981) is a Nepalese-American democratic socialist politician and activist. She is a member of the New York State Assembly, representing the New York's 103rd State Assembly district in the mid-Hudson Valley.[2] She was first elected in November 2022.
Early life and education
Shrestha was born in Kathmandu, Nepal, and moved to the United States in 2001 to study computer science at the New York Institute of Technology.[3] She became an American citizen in 2019.[4] She became interested in socialist politics as a college student.[5]
Career
Shrestha is affiliated with Public Power NY, a coalition of clean energy advocacy organizations.[6] She has also worked as a graphic designer and is the co-chair of the Democratic Socialists of America's Ulster County chapter.[7] Shrestha focused her campaign on climate and renewable energy policy.[8][9]
In 2021, she and her husband worked on Phil Erner's campaign for the Ulster County legislature.[10]
New York State Assembly
Elections
In 2022, Shrestha announced she would run against incumbent state assemblymember Kevin Cahill. She was endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America, Working Families Party, and U.S. representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.[11] Shrestha was elected in November 2022 and assumed office on January 1, 2023.[12][13]
In 2024, she was challenged by Gabi Madden, a former staffer of state senator James Skoufis who was endorsed by him and Kingston mayor Steve Noble.[10] She handily defeated Madden in the Democratic primary election.[1]
Tenure
Shrestha advocates for turning the Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. into the Hudson Valley Power Authority, a public utility company.[10]
References
- ^ a b Bellamy, Lana (26 June 2024). "Incumbents Shrestha, Barrett win big in Hudson Valley Assembly primaries". Times Union.
- ^ Sabella, Lilly (2024-09-25). "Sarahana Shrestha Holds Climate Town Hall". The New Paltz Oracle. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
- ^ "Sarahana Shrestha, DSA's Hudson Valley Primary Winner, Has a Message for NY Progressives - Hell Gate". hellgatenyc.com. 2022-08-05. Retrieved 2022-12-31.
- ^ "Ceremony at Ulster County Courthouse welcomes 51 new US citizens". Daily Freeman. 2019-12-13. Retrieved 2022-12-31.
- ^ Featherstone, Liza (2022-06-21). "Why This N.Y. Socialist Is Running on Climate". ISSN 0027-8378. Retrieved 2022-12-31.
- ^ "103rd Assembly District: Sarahana Shrestha defeats Patrick Sheehan". Daily Freeman. 2022-11-09. Retrieved 2022-12-31.
- ^ ""At the End of the Day, Climate Is a Working-Class Issue"". jacobin.com. Retrieved 2022-12-31.
- ^ Bagley, Katherine (2022-11-08). "From New York to Texas, climate candidates are gaining momentum in local races". Grist. Retrieved 2022-12-31.
- ^ Ashford, Grace (2022-06-23). "The Next Battlefield for N.Y. Progressives? The State Assembly". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-12-31.
- ^ a b c Jefferson, Austin C. (July 21, 2025). "Sarahana Shrestha is building a progressive movement in the Hudson Valley". City & State. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
- ^ Ashford, Grace (2022-06-29). "N.Y. Assembly Democrats Largely Repel Challenges From the Left". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-12-31.
- ^ "103rd Assembly District: Sarahana Shrestha defeats Patrick Sheehan". Daily Freeman. 2022-11-09. Retrieved 2022-12-31.
- ^ "Sarahana Shrestha". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2022-12-31.
