“People are tired of the same old,” says Myra Rahman, a cancer survivor and Los Angeles native, as she hopes to unseat Rep. Maxine Waters, who has held her congressional seat for over three decades. Rahman expressed her sentiments in a recent interview.
Waters, now 87, has not encountered serious competition from within her party in past elections, consistently securing over 70% of the vote in the heavily Democratic 43rd District. Since she began serving in Congress in 1991, a victory in the upcoming election would enhance her already significant majority.
For this reason, Rahman believes it’s crucial for “brave leaders to step up.” She emphasizes, “Time is of the essence. So why wait when you can make impactful change now?”
The 43rd District includes parts of South Los Angeles, where Rahman has lived since she was six. She began her political career as a field representative for former Congresswoman Juanita Millender McDonald and later held several district director positions in the California State Assembly.
Her campaign is largely focused on healthcare. Currently, she serves on the board of a nonprofit called Angels for Sight, which provides testing for the uninsured. Rahman feels strongly about using her campaign to address these critical issues.
Having survived cancer herself, Rahman is driven to reform the healthcare system, lower costs, and promote preventive care. “My mission is to help people with preventive care to keep them from getting sick — that includes mental, physical, and spiritual health,” she remarked.
Last year, Rahman lost two siblings: a sister who passed away at just 38 due to liver disease and a younger brother who died from an autoimmune condition at 42. She reflects, “That’s another reason why I’m so passionate about this medical issue. My sister didn’t receive the help she needed. Had it been more accessible, things might have turned out differently. These personal experiences, my family’s experiences, have fueled my passion for healthcare and saving lives.”
Waters last faced a challenge from a fellow Democrat in 2012, when she defeated Bob Flores with 71% of the vote, similar to her past Republican opponents in the solidly blue district.
Rahman aims to engage a younger demographic, leveraging her deep roots in the area, where she balanced multiple jobs while raising her siblings. “My mother passed away when I was in college, and I had to help raise my younger brothers and sisters. I understand the struggles,” she shared.
With five months until the June primary, Rahman is determined to provide voters with an alternative to the long-standing representation they’ve had for 35 years. “We’re gaining momentum, and it’s getting stronger. I believe we have what it takes to compete and win this race,” she stated confidently.
