Rep. Prasad Srinivasan running for Governor of Connecticut

Instead of setting up an exploratory committee, Dr Prasad Srinivasan, 67, an allergist and fourth term member of the state House of Representatives, filed papers to contest as Governor of Connecticut.

An exploratory committee would have allowed him to raise money to be used for any state office.

‘I am very clear in my mind. I’ve been thinking about it for a while, maybe six months in my mind the idea has been brewing. My wife and I talked about it. We decided the time was right to run for this position,’ Rep Srinivasan, the second Indian after former New Jersey Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula to become a state lawmaker in the New York tristate, told the media.

Srinivasan said he was periodically urged by patients to run, but he was not ready. Now, after three terms in the House, he said he is prepared. ‘I am old enough and I am young enough,’ he said.

Already four fellow Republicans have set up exploratory committees and started raising funds to the seat vacated by current Governor Dan Malloy, Democrat.

A legislator with a proven track record, Srinivasan said he is contesting as governor because ‘we deserve a better Connecticut, and our children deserve a brighter future. We need to revive our state so we all can prosper. Together, we can take back our state, turn it around and bring prosperity back to Connecticut.’

‘Our state is spiraling downwards. Our businesses, large and small, are leaving our state.  People are moving out of the state. Young people do not see the same opportunities that drew us to Connecticut in 1980.

‘This pattern has to end. We can make it happen. When businesses do well, we all do well.  But when businesses fail, poverty and unemployment follow.

He promises to control taxes and spending and remove waste and fraud.  Better healthcare is another promise.

‘We need new leadership and new vision to conquer the old problems that are continuing to hold us back,’ he said.

‘I have the energy, enthusiasm and experience to overcome these challenging issues to bring prosperity to Connecticut and ensure a bright future for our children.’ 

Even Democrats were supporting his candidacy for state House and expects the same in the contest for Governor. He greeted people at cross roads and knocked on the doors of many houses. “It made it loud and clear that I was not taking any chances or sitting idle.” Dr Srinivasan noted.

As a legislator, he opposed the legalization of cannabis for medical use in 2012, but relented in 2016 and voted to expand the law to allow the limited use of cannabis to treat children with conditions not treatable by conventional means.

He voted against repeal of the death penalty in 2012. He supported passage of the sweeping gun-control law passed in 2013 in response to the Sandy Hook School shooting of 26 children and staff.

Legislation to revamp the emergency medical service was a major achievement as a lawamker. In his first term, he challenged the leadership of both parties, when he successfully fought against a bill that would have made it easy to sue the doctors.

Another major achievement he credits was his efforts to prevent a hike in the water charges by the agency.

He still practices medicine, though working hours are reduced. “I could balance my different roles in life. I have not seen it as a problem.”

A graduate of Baroda Medical College, Srinivasan won from the 31st District in Glastonbury for the first time trouncing the two-time Democratic incumbent.

He is a physician in private practice treating adult and pediatric patients with allergies and has been serving the Hartford area for more than 35years.

He came to the US in 1975 and did his pediatric residency at Brookdale Hospital in Brooklyn, New York and fellowship in allergy and immunology at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago.

Srinivasan is actively involved with the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin and has served as regional director, treasurer, and secretary.

He is one of the ‘pillars’ of the Connecticut Valley Hindu Temple Society for his contributions over the past 30 years. As chairman of the board of trustees, he established a Youth Services Program and a Sunday Hindu Religious School.

His wife Kala is a musician and teacher. Their son Sashank is an associate professor at Harvard Medical School and daughter Anusha is the Head of Alternate Investments at Oppenheimer.