Biography
Raja Krishnamoorthi, born on July 19, 1973, in New Delhi, India, is a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives, serving Illinois' 8th congressional district since 2017. His district encompasses Chicago's western and northwestern suburbs, including Hoffman Estates, Elgin, Schaumburg, Wood Dale, and Elk Grove Village. Raised in Peoria, Illinois, Krishnamoorthi attended public schools and was valedictorian of his high school class. He resides in Schaumburg, Illinois, with his wife, Priya, a physician, and their three children.
Education
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Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering: Princeton University, summa cum laude
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Juris Doctor: Harvard Law School, with honors
Political Experience
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U.S. Representative for Illinois' 8th District: Elected in 2016; currently serving his fourth term
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Ranking Member: Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party
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Member: House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
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Ranking Member: Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
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Vice-Chair: Equality Caucus
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Co-Chair: Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Immigration Task Force
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Founder and Chairman: Bipartisan Congressional Caucus to End the Youth Vaping Epidemic and the Bipartisan Solar Caucus
Prior to his congressional tenure, Krishnamoorthi served as Illinois Deputy Treasurer, overseeing the state's technology venture capital fund. He was also appointed by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan as a Special Assistant Attorney General to help start the state's Public Integrity Unit, aimed at rooting out corruption. Additionally, he chaired the Audit Committee of the Illinois Housing Development Authority, facilitating affordable housing for low and moderate-income families.
In the private sector, Krishnamoorthi was president of research-oriented small businesses focusing on national security and renewable energy technologies. He co-founded InSPIRE, a non-profit providing training in solar technology to inner-city students and veterans.
In May 2025, Krishnamoorthi announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat to be vacated by Senator Dick Durbin in the 2026 election.
