Dan Lee, a second-generation Korean American and Democrat, has announced his candidacy for Virginia’s 11th Congressional District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The district includes suburbs with high concentrations of Korean and Asian American residents near Washington, D.C., such as Merrifield, Fairfax, Vienna, and Springfield. The seat became vacant after Representative Gerry Connolly, also a Democrat, passed away from cancer on May 21.
Born and raised in Fairfax, Dan Lee holds a degree in biological sciences from George Washington University and dual master’s degrees in public health and business administration from Dartmouth College. His professional experience includes roles at the White House, the World Bank, and as a senior advisor in the Massachusetts Governor’s Office.
Dan Lee said his interest in healthcare policy was shaped by his personal experience caring for his mother, which revealed to him the shortcomings of the U.S. healthcare system.
His key campaign platform includes improving transparency and accessibility in healthcare costs, as well as reforming the insurance system to make it more equitable.
Virginia’s 11th District has historically leaned Democratic. The special election is scheduled for September 9.
Lee’s campaign website (danleeforvirginia.com) is calling on Korean American communities nationwide to engage and participate in the upcoming race.
BY BRIAN CHOI [choi.inseong@koreadaily.com]
