Ash Kalra is a Democratic member of the California State Assembly representing the 25th District, which includes the majority of San José and parts of southeast Santa Clara County.

Ash Kalra, born January 21, 1972, in Toronto, Canada, immigrated to California as a young child and grew up in South San José, where he now resides. A first-generation Indian American and the first Hindu and Indian American in the California State Legislature, he has focused his career on equity, social justice, criminal justice reform, environmental protection, housing affordability, and worker rights. Notable achievements include authoring the California Racial Justice Act of 2020 to address racial bias in sentencing, its 2022 follow-up for retroactive application, AB 3030 committing California to protect 30% of lands and waters by 2030, and legislation prohibiting vehicle towing for unpaid parking tickets. He currently chairs the Assembly Judiciary Committee, previously chaired the Labor and Employment Committee and Aging and Long-Term Care Committee, and serves as Chair Emeritus of the California Legislative Progressive Caucus. Re-elected to his fifth term in 2024, he advocates for single-payer healthcare and other progressive priorities.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of California, Santa Barbara; Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center.
• Professional Background: Served 11 years as a deputy public defender for Santa Clara County, handling felony and misdemeanor cases with a focus on drug treatment court; instructor at San José State University and Lincoln Law School of San Jose.
• Political Experience: Elected to San José City Council in 2008, serving two terms until 2016; elected to California State Assembly District 25 in 2016, succeeding Nora Campos. Serves on committees including Housing & Community Development, Labor & Employment, Natural Resources, and Utilities & Energy.