Washington

India-born college student Rajni Raveendran, 40, has officially announced her bid for the US State Senate in Wisconsin, becoming the first Republican to contest against Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin. Raveendran, the president of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College Republican, announced her candidacy against Baldwin in Portage County.

She has joined the Stevens Point College Republicans this year and plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in political science next year. She has not yet been involved in politics and joined the Republican party after a trip to Washington DC. Raveendran, who moved to the US from India in 2011, worked as a nurse and midwife and lived in California before moving to Wisconsin in 2017.

She has nine years of citizenship in the US, which is the minimum number of years required to become a senator. Her campaign will focus on securing the border, cracking down on illegal drugs, stopping illegal immigration, and advocating for “medical freedom.” Gallagher, the Republican’s top-choice candidate, has also ruled out a candidacy. Raveendran has previously supported former President Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020 and is supporting him again in 2024.