Nepali Somnath Ghimire to challenge Steven Raga in Democratic Primary

Nepali American community leader Somnath Ghimire is set to challenge incumbent Assemblymember Steven Raga in the Democratic Primary for New York State Assembly District 30.

Ghimire, whom supporters describe as a “social engineer,” will formally announce his candidacy on January 11 at Gulshan Terrace in Woodside, Queens.

“At its best, Queens is a place where every family belongs and has a voice,” Ghimire said in a statement posted on Facebook. “I’m stepping forward because District 30 deserves leadership that understands our communities and is committed to delivering real, smart, practical solutions that work for everyone.”

According to his campaign, Ghimire will use the launch event to outline a platform focused on affordable housing, strong public schools, worker protections, and inclusive representation for all residents of the district.

“I believe public service means listening, showing up, and fighting for the people we represent,” Ghimire said. “Together, we can build a Queens where every family has the opportunity to thrive.”

Ghimire has lived in Woodside since 1996 and has spent more than two decades working with the Nepali American and broader South Asian communities. His advocacy has centered on workers, immigrants, and working families across Queens, his statement said.

His background includes service as a 2020 Census field supervisor and participation in human rights missions to 22 countries through the International Institute for Human Rights, Environment and Development (INHURED International). His team also highlighted his long involvement in Democratic Party politics, noting that he has volunteered on numerous national, state, and local campaigns, including the presidential campaigns of Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton.

Ghimire currently serves as president of the Girija Prasad Koirala Foundation America and as president of the Jackson Heights chapter of the Alliance of South Asian American Labor (ASAAL).

“He is excited to mobilize the South Asian community in New York to turn out the Democratic vote in the state,” his campaign statement said.

Assemblymember Steven Raga, who was born and raised in Queens, welcomed the challenge. The first Filipino American elected to the New York State Assembly is serving his second term after first being elected in November 2022.

Since taking office, Raga has filed hundreds of bills, including measures addressing insurance coverage for mental health treatment and restrictions on cannabis and tobacco advertising. He has also co-sponsored hundreds of legislative proposals. Raga serves on several Assembly committees, including Aging, Agriculture, Banks, and Labor, and is a member of the Asian Pacific American Task Force, among other affiliations.

“Primary elections are part of a healthy democracy and I fully welcome the opportunity to make our case once again directly to the voters of Assembly District 30,” replied Raga when reached by The FilAm.

“Our team is proud to have earned the trust of our community and to have won two straight terms by delivering real results and being proactively present in our diverse neighborhoods, not just during election season. I am also very much honored to have developed deep relationships with the Nepali community in my first three years in office.”

Raga said his team has  hosted the first-ever Nepal Community Day in Albany bringing together more than 200 community leaders and 30 Nepali organizations to the state capitol.

“Last year, we hosted a roundtable discussion on priority legislative & budget issues for the Nepali community. Further, I am proud to have officially passed the Legislative Resolution to commemorate Losar in New York State for 2025, with the guidance of our Nepali community leaders appointed to our Assembly District 30 Advisory Council. Our campaign is staying fully focused, fully committed, and always ready to fight for the community we love.”

Losar is a festival also known as Tibetan New Year. It is celebrated sometime in February or March and is observed in countries such as Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal among other Buddhist communities. — Cristina DC Pastor