My name is Aurin Chowdhury.

I’m a first-generation Bengali-American, daughter of working-class immigrants, organizer, renter, and experienced policy aide. I’m running to fight for working families, deliver progressive change for our communities, and work collaboratively to move our city forward.

My parents immigrated here from Bangladesh and made the Southside their home. My mother worked as a bank teller in Uptown by day, and took shifts at a call center by night. My father worked multiple jobs to pay his way through school. Like many in our community, my parents relied on social services and public goods to make ends meet. I often reflect on how our city could have better supported them. A more extensive transit system, renter’s protections, and good paying union jobs could have made a huge difference to improve our family’s quality of life. Even in our struggle, my family loved South Minneapolis, a place of opportunity and possibility.

I grew up on the Southside, went to Minneapolis Public Schools, and developed a deep appreciation for our community. I have always been passionate about public service and community building, because I believe that our community has the power to create the world we deserve. I have experience challenging the status quo through organizing, fighting alongside workers, and supporting progressive candidates for public office.

I’ve spent years shaping public policy and building inclusive coalitions – first at the office of Senator Kari Dziedzic and now as a Policy Aide at the City of Minneapolis. In my time at City Hall, I developed policies to combat wage theft, expand affordable housing for students, and deliver funding for small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. These experiences have provided me with a strong understanding of what it takes to get things done for residents of Minneapolis and the importance of delivering excellent constituent services. I have a strong record of public service and advocacy and I’m ready to bring that experience to fight alongside you at City Hall.

Ward 12 needs a Councilmember who will not only represent our values, but move them to action. That’s the type of transformative leader I will be.

I look forward to meeting you and earning your support,