by Srilekha Reddy Palle

This Thanksgiving, I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to Governor Glenn Youngkin and his administration. My passion for politics and policymaking intensified significantly during his campaign, and I am proud to say I was among those who believed in him even before the primaries. During those early days, I introduced him to the Indian American community and later to the broader Asian American community.

During the height of the TJ Coalition efforts—when many parents and community members were closely watching merit-based education issues—I arranged a meet-and-greet for him at TEJ Restaurant in Herndon. At that event, I asked him directly: If you win the election, will you appoint us to the Asian Advisory Board so that we can continue advocating for these issues?
He gave his word — and he kept it. I remain deeply grateful that he appointed me to the Board, demonstrating once again that promises made are promises kept, just as we have seen with President Trump.

Hundreds of thousands of parents in Northern Virginia supported Governor Youngkin because he championed a return to merit-based principles in education, jobs, and public institutions. His leadership ensured that race-based divisiveness did not deepen — and for that, we are thankful.

Despite serving his entire term with a Democrat-controlled General Assembly, he delivered strong, measurable results, including:

• Strengthening Virginia’s economic fundamentals
• Leaving behind $4.7 billion in financial reserves
• Driving job growth
• Eliminating the grocery tax
• Improving public safety, including meaningful reductions in fentanyl-related school deaths
• Refocusing public education on academic excellence
• Modernizing and depoliticizing boards of higher education

As a Hindu American, I am especially grateful for the Virginia Swastika law — the strongest and most balanced in the nation. Governor Youngkin understood the cultural and spiritual nuance with rare clarity. The law protects Jewish communities from hateful misuse of the Nazi symbol while safeguarding the ancient, sacred meaning of the Swastika for Hindus. It stands as a direct example of thoughtful, principled leadership. I also want to acknowledge Senator Ryan McDougle, who was instrumental in advancing this critical bill.

Governor Youngkin, a political outsider, succeeded in elevating Virginia’s trajectory because he was willing to invest his own resources and take personal risks. His leadership reset Virginia’s course toward growth and optimism — right from the beginning, even before he won the primaries.

One of his most significant contributions was broadening the Republican coalition, modernizing its outreach, and meaningfully engaging Virginia’s rapidly growing legal immigrant population. He recognized what many overlook: Virginia is home to nearly two million foreign-born residents, and in Northern Virginia, more than one in five voters is an immigrant. These communities are not peripheral — they are central to Virginia’s future.

He understood several key realities:

• Demographic Momentum: Immigrants now make up 16% of Virginia’s population and 20% of its workforce
• Electoral Power: 1.2 million naturalized citizens can vote today, with another 400,000 likely to naturalize by 2030
• Regional Concentration: Over one million first- and second-generation immigrants live in Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties

Governor Youngkin held listening sessions, engaged in multilingual outreach, partnered with diaspora organizations, and consistently showed up at temples, cultural festivals, small businesses, and community gatherings. He understood what many in politics still miss: immigrant communities are socially traditional, fiscally disciplined, and often aligned with Republican values — but they seek authentic partnership, not last-minute outreach.

As we transition into a new chapter of Virginia’s political landscape, I sincerely congratulate Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger and the Democratic Party for securing the Governorship, House, Senate, and key county offices across Northern Virginia. I hope this consolidated power is used to advance Virginia’s prosperity and stability — not to pursue radical or divisive agendas.

This Thanksgiving, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve the Commonwealth as Chair of the Virginia Asian Advisory Board and as Vice President of the Board of Physical Therapy—both appointments made by Governor Youngkin. His principled leadership, and his meaningful engagement with the vibrant and diverse communities that make Virginia home, are truly appreciated.

Srilekha Reddy Palle is a healthcare professional living in Northern Virginia.