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Adrian Pokharel

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Adrian Pokharel
Image of Adrian Pokharel
Elections and appointments
Last election

June 18, 2024

Education

Associate

San Jacinto College, 2008

Bachelor's

University of Houston, 2010

Graduate

American Military University, 2016

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Army

Years of service

2008 - 2022

Personal
Profession
Intelligence officer
Contact

Adrian Pokharel (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Virginia's 10th Congressional District. He lost in the Democratic primary on June 18, 2024.

Pokharel completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Adrian Pokharel served in the U.S. Army from 2008 to 2022. Pokharel's career experience includes working as an intelligence officer. He earned an associate degree in business administration from San Jacinto College in 2008, a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Houston in 2010, and an master's degree in intelligence studies from American Military University in 2016. [1]

Elections

2024

See also: Virginia's 10th Congressional District election, 2024

Virginia's 10th Congressional District election, 2024 (June 18 Democratic primary)

Virginia's 10th Congressional District election, 2024 (June 18 Republican primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Virginia District 10

Suhas Subramanyam defeated Mike Clancy in the general election for U.S. House Virginia District 10 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Suhas Subramanyam
Suhas Subramanyam (D)
 
52.1
 
215,131
Image of Mike Clancy
Mike Clancy (R)
 
47.5
 
196,343
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.4
 
1,538

Total votes: 413,012
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Virginia District 10

The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Virginia District 10 on June 18, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Suhas Subramanyam
Suhas Subramanyam
 
30.4
 
13,504
Image of Dan Helmer
Dan Helmer
 
26.6
 
11,784
Image of Atif Qarni
Atif Qarni
 
10.7
 
4,768
Image of Eileen Filler-Corn
Eileen Filler-Corn
 
9.3
 
4,131
Image of Jennifer Boysko
Jennifer Boysko
 
9.0
 
4,016
Image of David Reid
David Reid Candidate Connection
 
3.2
 
1,419
Image of Michelle Maldonado
Michelle Maldonado Candidate Connection
 
3.2
 
1,412
Image of Adrian Pokharel
Adrian Pokharel Candidate Connection
 
2.3
 
1,028
Image of Krystle Kaul
Krystle Kaul Candidate Connection
 
2.2
 
982
Image of Travis Nembhard
Travis Nembhard Candidate Connection
 
1.6
 
722
Image of Marion Devoe
Marion Devoe Candidate Connection
 
0.9
 
386
Image of Mark Leighton
Mark Leighton Candidate Connection
 
0.5
 
224

Total votes: 44,376
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Virginia District 10

Mike Clancy defeated Aliscia Andrews, Alexander Isaac, and Manga Anantatmula in the Republican primary for U.S. House Virginia District 10 on June 18, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Mike Clancy
Mike Clancy
 
64.2
 
17,434
Image of Aliscia Andrews
Aliscia Andrews
 
21.5
 
5,832
Image of Alexander Isaac
Alexander Isaac
 
9.4
 
2,544
Image of Manga Anantatmula
Manga Anantatmula
 
4.9
 
1,327

Total votes: 27,137
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Pokharel in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Video for Ballotpedia

Video submitted to Ballotpedia
Released May 9, 2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Adrian Pokharel completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Pokharel's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Adrian Pokharel is a U.S. Congressional Candidate from Virginia's Tenth Congressional District, offering a diverse background in public service, national security, and community involvement. Born in Dharan-14, Bijaypur, Nepal, and later moving to Kathmandu, he eventually settled in Houston, Texas, which deeply influenced his dedication to public service. Adrian's professional journey includes a 12-year military tenure in intelligence and strategic roles, followed by significant positions in national security at the NSA and CIA, where he specialized in cybersecurity and digital targeting. His civilian experience spans the airline industry, Transportation Security Administration, and various investigative agencies, showcasing a broad skill set. Adrian holds a Ph.D. and is fluent in three languages, underlining his commitment to diverse communities. As a proud father and husband, his life is rich with personal and professional experiences, from his early years in Nepal to his present advocacy in Virginia. His campaign is driven by his multifaceted life story, dedication to veterans, education, economic development, and infrastructure, aiming to bring positive change and representation to his district.
  • Proven Leadership in Security and Service: Adrian Pokharel emphasizes his over three decades of experience in national security and community service, including roles in the military, NSA, and CIA. This extensive background positions him as a knowledgeable and seasoned leader ready to address the complex challenges facing Virginia's 10th Congressional District.
  • Dedication to Community Empowerment: At the heart of Pokharel's campaign is the "U Matter" philosophy, signifying his commitment to listening, unity, and creating inclusive solutions that address the needs of all constituents. His focus on accessible healthcare, education, economic development, and community safety demonstrates his commitment to improving the quality of life for every individual in the district.
  • Transparent and Inclusive Representation: Pokharel promises to serve with integrity and transparency, aiming to be a representative who truly understands and responds to the district's unique challenges. His campaign's active engagement through events and social media reflects his approach to being an accessible, responsive, and attentive leader for the diverse communities of the 10th District.
Mental Health: He prioritizes comprehensive and accessible mental health care, recognizing the need for diverse and trauma-informed approaches, especially in the wake of COVID-19.

Community Safety and Support: His policies aim for zero tolerance against abuse, support for federal workers, and benefits for military personnel and veterans. This includes strict gun law reforms and enhanced school safety measures.
Diversity and Inclusion: Adrian emphasizes the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in employment, advocating for transparent promotion practices and fair representation for various communities, including Hispanic, African American, Asian, and Southeast Asian communities.
Economic and Educational Empowerment: He advocates for fair compensation for educators, support for small businesses, technological advancement, and cybersecurity. His platform also includes protecting veteran benefits, ensuring fair compensation for educators, and promoting sustainable development in suburban and rural areas.
Comprehensive Community Policies: His vision extends to supporting single and working parents, senior citizens, and LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as advocating for refugee support, accessible and affordable healthcare, and political and environmental reforms.

Legal and Justice Reform: Pokharel seeks to implement law education in schools to create an informed citizenry, alongside enforcing measures against drug crimes and advocating for prison reform focused on rehab.
Mother Teresa: Her legacy of compassion, selfless service, and dedication to the poorest and sickest people might inspire Adrian's commitment to community service and healthcare. Mother Teresa's example would resonate with someone passionate about making tangible, compassionate changes in people's lives, particularly those who are underserved or marginalized.

Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama): Buddha's teachings emphasize compassion, wisdom, and the pursuit of enlightenment. Admirers of Buddha might be drawn to his principles of peace, mindfulness, and understanding the root causes of suffering to alleviate it. This might influence Adrian's approach to policy, focusing on deep understanding, empathy, and holistic solutions to complex problems.

Barack Obama: As a significant political leader and former U.S. President, Obama is known for his leadership, eloquence, and efforts in various areas including healthcare reform, international diplomacy, and advocating for diversity and inclusion. Admiring Obama might reflect Adrian's aspirations for effective leadership, striving for positive change through politics, and a commitment to unifying and empowering diverse communities.
Commitment to Service

Integrity and Honesty
Leadership and Vision
Empathy and Compassion
Communication Skills
Decisiveness and Problem-Solving
Resilience and Perseverance
Knowledge and Expertise
Collaboration and Teamwork

Adaptability and Flexibility
Mental Health Advocacy

Eliminating Stigma

Best Representation of the People
One love, one heart, lets get together and feel all right.
Langauge, culture, being immigrant, being minority, being disable. being a person of color.
Representation based on population

Frequency of election
Specialized legislative powers
Greater number of members

More formal rules
No, The question of whether it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics doesn't have a one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on the needs of the constituents, the specific challenges facing the government, and the personal qualities of the individual candidate. A mix of experienced and new representatives can provide a balance of stability, expertise, and innovation within a legislative body, potentially leading to more effective and representative governance. It's about finding the right balance that works for the needs and aspirations of the society they serve.
Political Polarization and Governance

Economic Inequality and Opportunity
Healthcare Access and Affordability
Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability
Technological Change and Cybersecurity
Education and Workforce Development
Immigration and Demographic Chances.
Global Leadership and International Relations
Infrastructure and Urbanization

Social Justice and Racial Equality
Adrian Pokharel's belief in term limits, with a maximum of four terms for Congress members and two terms for Senators, reflects a commitment to ensuring dynamic and responsive governance. Here's how this stance aligns with the values and goals he might aim to promote:

Promoting Fresh Perspectives: By advocating for term limits, Adrian supports the idea of continually bringing new ideas and energies into the legislative process. This perspective aligns with a desire to see a government that evolves with its constituents and encourages innovative approaches to policy-making.
Preventing Entrenchment of Power: Term limits are often seen as a way to prevent any single individual from becoming too powerful or disconnected from the current needs and realities of the electorate. This approach aims to maintain a healthy and vibrant democracy where leadership is more accountable and dynamic.
Encouraging Broader Participation: By setting clear end points for service in Congress and the Senate, term limits might encourage a wider array of individuals to consider running for office, knowing that the political landscape isn't dominated by lifelong politicians. This could lead to more diverse representation and a government that more accurately reflects the population's demographic and ideological makeup.

Focusing on Legacy and Accomplishment: Knowing that their time in office is finite, legislators might be more motivated to accomplish meaningful work within the set terms, focusing on creating a positive and lasting impact rather than maintaining their position.
Yes but let me be clear, compromise in policy making does not mean abandoning one's core values and principles; rather, it's about finding common ground and making adjustments that enable progress while still holding to essential ideals and goals.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign finance summary


Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.


Adrian Pokharel campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2024* U.S. House Virginia District 10Lost primary$278,562 $222,880
Grand total$278,562 $222,880
Sources: OpenSecretsFederal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

See also


External links

Footnotes

  1. Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on January 3, 2024


Senators
Representatives
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District 2
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District 4
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District 6
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District 10
District 11
Democratic Party (8)
Republican Party (5)