Community Conversation
with Farooq Mitha
NEHA DEWAN
Neha has long been active in both local and national politics. Most recently, she founded and served as the National Director for South Asians for Biden, an organization dedicated to engaging, educating, and mobilizing the South Asian community to elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. In 2016, Neha served as the National Co-Chair for South Asians for Hillary and was appointed by Hillary Clinton to the National AAPI Leadership Council.
Previously, in 2015, Neha was appointed as a guest of honor by the Consulate General of India in New York City where she was selected to speak about gender equality for International Women's Day. During the 2012 presidential campaign, Neha chaired the New York Chapter of South Asians for Obama and also served on the steering committee for Lawyers for Obama in New York. For several years, Neha served as an Officer of the New York Democratic Lawyers Council, an organization affiliated with the National Lawyers Council of the Democratic National Committee and comprised of Democratic lawyers and voting rights activists. Similarly, for many years, Neha served as an advisory board member of New Leaders Council, a national organization focused on training and supporting progressive political entrepreneurs. She has also been active in her local community board and political clubs. Neha served as the President of the South Asian Bar Association of New York in 2012, and now sits on the organization’s Board of Directors.
Mobilizing the South Asian Community & Building Political Power
SAFA CANDIDATE ENDORSEMENT PROCESS
South Asians for America (SAFA) seeks to endorse, support and elect candidates of South Asian origin who reflect SAFA’s values. Through its endorsement, SAFA will provide resources, training, referrals, mentorship, and access to deep national networks.
ENDORSEMENT CRITERIA
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Meet the criteria of the eligibility for the desired position in the United States
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Candidates have demonstrated a strong commitment to advocating for the interests of, and issues pertaining to, the South Asian community in the city/state/district of their candidacy
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Candidates have demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting efforts to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in the roles and positions they hold or have held previously
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Candidates have not engaged in harassment of any kind, including verbal, physical and/or sexual harassment
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Candidates have run a fair campaign
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Candidates have complied with all applicable ethics and campaign finance rules
ENDORSEMENT PROCESS
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Candidates applying for an endorsement attest that they have thoroughly read, and will adhere to, SAFA’s Statement of Values
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The candidate must complete SAFA’s Candidate Endorsement Questionnaire in its entirety
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The Candidate Endorsement Questionnaire is reviewed by SAFA’s Candidate Endorsement Committee.
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The Candidate Endorsement Committee reviews the following additional sources of information when reviewing the application (if applicable)
Campaign Website
Social Media Footprint
Media Coverage
Online, Radio, Television Ads
Other Candidate Endorsements
Candidate speeches/Debates
Online Candidate Forums
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The Candidate Endorsement Committee will schedule and conduct interviews of the candidates with 2-3 Committee members
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The Candidate Endorsement Committee will recommend endorsement to the Board of Directors and will inform candidates once an endorsement is approved.
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Once approved, the endorsement is shared on SAFA’s Website and through a press release.