Sid Das was inspired to run for the New Hampshire State Assembly by the campaign of Howard Dean, who tried unsuccessfully for the Democratic presidential ticket. Das watched the great impact of the Dean campaign, and supported it. When Dean pulled out of the presidential race, Sid's compassion for those who lost their manufacturing jobs and New Hampshire's need for better education and health insurance convinced him to run for local office.
"Deciding to run for state representative of District 27 was not difficult for me," Das told rediff.com "I have watched District 27, comprised of the towns Pelham, Litchfield and Hudson, suffer for the past eight years because of out-of-touch politicians. I have felt the pain and humiliation of losing my manufacturing job and have fought tooth and nail to rebound."
Currently a small business owner, the first-time candidate is running to restore a positive climate for small businesses, affordable health care, and proper funding for education, including early childhood education. "I believe that my educational background and work experience will allow me to counter the harmful policies already imposed and represent the people of District 27 effectively. I have struggled to give my kids the best education available and unfortunately, in our state, the best education comes in the form of private school, an option many people do not have. I understand New Hampshire's issues and I believe that the people of New Hampshire deserve better," he tells voters.
The district has about 4,000 voters, and will send 13 representatives to the 400 member state assembly. Das says he is the only Democrat campaigning vigorously in the predominantly Republican district; he believes he has a fair chance to win as others are not seen in the campaign.
There are 13 Republicans, and 13 Democrats, in the fray - the 13 candidates who get the most votes win the seats, irrespective of party affiliation.
Though Indians are very few in the district, the Indian community in New Hampshire has supported him with funds. He also has the backing of the Democratic Party.
Born in New York, Das lived in Kolkata till 21 and returned to the US in 1978. His wife Gargi Nambudiri is the daughter of V N B Nambudiri, a pilot who died in a plane crash in 1965. Her mother is a Bengali. She used to teach in public school earlier, but now operates a Montessori school. The couple has two children: Mrinmoy and Mrinalini.
Das promises to be involved with research on how to make New Hampshire an attractive place for manufacturers bringing blue-collar jobs back to the state. The manufacturing sector is too important for US national security, he believes. 'Made in America' makes sense, he notes. Though he does not have a problem with outsourcing jobs, he feels that government must take care of those who have lost their jobs due to this trend. Local and federal government must have some authority over companies that outsource jobs, Das says; if not middle-class America will continue to suffer.