(Commonwealth Union)_ Indian-American Aruna Miller has become the first immigrant to hold the position of Lieutenant Governor in Maryland, following the recent midterm elections in the United States. In addition, she is the first woman of South Asian heritage to assume a position of such prominence in the United States. Miller, the former 58-year-old Maryland House delegate, campaigned for lieutenant governor with the incoming Democratic Governor, Wes Moore. The Lieutenant Governor serves as the state’s second-highest official in the Governor’s absence or inability to serve.
Shortly after voting closed, Wes Moore and Miller were named the winners against their Republican opponents. During their campaigns, both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris backed them. During her victory speech, she said: “Maryland, tonight you showed the nation what a small but mighty state can do when democracy is on the ballot. You chose unity over division, expanding rights over restricting rights, and hope over fear. You chose Wes Moore and me to be your next Governor and Lieutenant Governor”.
Miller relocated from Hyderabad to the United States at the age of seven. In 1989, she graduated from the Missouri University of Science and Technology with a civil engineering degree. Later, in 2000, she became an American citizen and started working for the Montgomery County Department of Transportation. She then married David Miller, and the couple are parents to three daughters. Since she started her political career in Maryland, she has garnered support from the Indian-American community. Moreover, she was supported by many Republicans and Trump supporters, who also contributed to her campaign during the midterm elections.
Miller represented District 15 in the Maryland House of Delegates from 2010 to 2018. In 2018, she finished second out of eight candidates in Maryland’s 6th Congressional District. Upon the announcement of the midterm poll results, Miller took to Twitter and shared her happiness. She tweeted: “There’s no place I’d rather be than with voters! Our community has pushed us to be our best selves this campaign and I cannot even begin to put my gratitude into words for your commitment and support”.
