In November 2016, Ash Kalra was elected to represent the 27th Assembly District, which encompasses downtown San Jose, East San Jose, Evergreen and parts of South San Jose. Ash was re-elected to his 2nd term in 2018.

Ash is the Chair of the Assembly Committee on Labor and Employment, and also sits on the Aging and Long Term Care, Education, Judiciary, and Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committees.

Assemblymember Kalra has established himself as a leader on issues ranging from the environment and conservation, to criminal justice reform, health care sustainability, housing affordability, growing our transportation infrastructure, and expanding economic opportunity to all Californians.

He previously served as a San José City Councilmember for eight years and was a deputy public defender in Santa Clara County for 11 years prior to the City Council. He is the first Indian-American to serve in the California Legislature in state history.

Ash lives in Hayes, the same San Jose neighborhood where he grew up.

My goal in my public service work can be boiled down to two words: reduce suffering. The work is far more complex and the goal is certainly not easily achievable in every facet of my work. However, it is my North Star.