Dear John:

I’ve come full circle.

In 2019, as I was pondering a run for office, I participated in New American Leaders’ Ready to Lead^TM training. There, I met a warm and enthusiastic community who showed me that my identity as a young Muslim woman and daughter of immigrants was key to connecting with and representing my community. 

Empowered by my NAL training, I ran for office against a twelve-year incumbent. With the help of hundreds of community members just like you, I became one of the first Muslim women ever elected in Washington and the youngest member of the Redmond City Council.

I took office just as the COVID-19 pandemic changed reality forever in the United States. Anticipating community needs, I authored and helped pass an eviction and late fee moratorium to ensure residents remained housed, had access to running water, and avoided accruing municipal late fee debt during the crisis.

It was a privilege to enact legislation like this to protect the most vulnerable in my community. Like you, I believe urgently in getting other New Americans into office so we can deliver wide-ranging relief and recovery to our communities.

I started as a NAL trainee, and this month, I became a NAL trainer. I intend to share my first-hand experience as a New American legislator, and mentor and inspire others to take up the mantle of inclusive democracy. 

I can personally attest that NAL has the formula to build a long-term New American political movement. Can I count on you to resource this vision with a gift of $100, $75 $50, or $25 today?

I can’t wait to see what we accomplish, hand in hand, in 2022 and beyond.

Onward,

Varisha Khan
Redmond, Washington City Councilmember