Rini Sampath (31), originally from Theni in Tamil Nadu, India, has made history by becoming the first South Asian candidate to run for Mayor of Washington DC. Representing the Democratic Party, her campaign is centered around the theme 'Fix the Basics' and aims to create 'A new DC'. Sampath, who moved to the United States at the age of seven, has focused her career on enhancing government programs and services for citizens. She has lived in Washington DC for over a decade and gained recognition as the student body president at the University of Southern California in 2015, where she advocated for campus safety, diversity, and student rights. Her campaign priorities include addressing city infrastructure issues, such as filling potholes, improving 911 response times, and tackling environmental concerns like wastewater spills. Sampath criticizes the current DC leadership for its failures, particularly during recent snowstorms that left residents stranded. The Washington DC mayoral primary election will take place on June 16, with the general election following on November 3.