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Jayapal Announces Gautam Raghavan As Chief of Staff

Seattle, WA – Today, Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) announced Gautam Raghavan as her new Chief of Staff.

Raghavan currently serves as Executive Director of the Indian American Impact Project & Fund and as an advisor to the Biden Foundation. He previously served as Vice President of Policy for the Gill Foundation, the nation’s oldest funder of LGBTQ Civil Rights Advocacy. From 2011 to 2014, Raghavan served as President Barack Obama’s liaison to the LGBTQ community as well as the Asian American & Pacific Islander community, and from 2009 to 2011, as Acting White House Liaison for the U.S. Department of Defense and as Outreach Lead for the Pentagon’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Working Group. A first-generation immigrant, Raghavan was born in India, raised in the Seattle area, and graduated from Stanford University.

“Since joining Congress, Representative Jayapal quickly established herself as a bold, unapologetic, national voice for progressive values. With so much at stake, I can think of no better place to fight for a more just, fair, and prosperous future than at her side,” said Raghavan. “I’m honored to have the opportunity to support her leadership and work with her highly capable and passionate team.”

“My goals in the 116th Congress will continue to be stand for a bold, progressive agenda that ensures opportunity.  The progressive movement has never been stronger, and I look forward to translating that into real wins for working people, women, immigrants, those living in poverty and the most marginalized,” said Rep. Jayapal. “I’m thrilled to have Gautam, a fellow Seattleite, joining our exceptional team. I know his experience and leadership will continue guiding our office as we fight for real progressive change in Washington and across our country in hopes of creating a fairer and more just country.  I also want to thank Carmen Gallus Frias for her tremendous service as my Chief in my first term.  She has been a true asset for me and the people of the 7th District.”