Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08) announced his endorsement of Jay Vaingankar for Congress in New Jersey’s 12th District, backing the Gen Z candidate and former Biden White House official as a results-driven leader ready to take on the challenges facing working families.

“In Congress, we need leaders who know how to get things done and who are ready to take on the challenges facing working families,” said Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi. “From his track record expanding clean energy and working across the federal government to lower costs, Jay Vaingankar has the experience and the drive to deliver results. I am proud to endorse Jay Vaingankar for Congress, and I look forward to his leadership in our nation’s capital.”

Vaingankar, a former Biden White House and Department of Energy official, helped implement the Inflation Reduction Act, bringing millions in clean energy tax credits for New Jersey. He has built his campaign around tackling the cost of living, achieving universal health care, and putting an end to forever wars. Vaingankar will fight to undo Trump's cuts to clean energy investment to lower families’ utility bills while creating good-paying jobs.

Krishnamoorthi’s endorsement comes as Vaingankar’s campaign draws national attention for taking on far-right attacks <https://www.nj.com/politics/2026/04/a-nj-congressional-candidate-ran-an-ad-in-hindi-then-came-the-threats.html>  from Laura Loomer and refusing to back down in the face of death threats. That moment has underscored Vaingankar’s willingness to stand up to extremism while continuing to build a broad coalition focused on lowering costs for New Jersey families.

“I’m honored to have Congressman Krishnamoorthi’s support,” said Gen Z congressional candidate Jay Vaingankar. “He has built a reputation in Congress for delivering results, strengthening our economy, and standing up for working families. That’s exactly the kind of leadership we need more of in Washington. I’ve shown in this campaign that I won’t back down from MAGA extremists like Laura Loomer, and I’ll bring that same willingness to stand up and fight for NJ-12 in Congress.”

The campaign's momentum continues to grow, and it recently announced <https://www.jayvaingankar.com/press/release-q1-fundraising>  it has raised over $260,000 and is one of only five campaigns in a 13-person field to qualify <https://www.jayvaingankar.com/press/release-qualified-debate>  for the nationally televised debate on April 26. Vaingankar has previously been endorsed by former U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, the Indian American Impact Fund, and AAPI Victory Fund, two leading groups supporting Asian American and Pacific Islander candidates across the country.