Raaheela believes strong public schools are the foundation of strong communities. As a former Prince George’s County School Board member, she fought to advance academic achievement and deliver real results for students and families. She’s ready to continue that work at the state level.
She supports:
Strong county public schools and a strong Bowie State University mean more opportunity, stronger families, and a brighter future for District 23.
Raaheela is the daughter of immigrants from Pakistan and India and grew up in a multigenerational household in Bowie. Her home was a place of grounding for relatives and friends who arrived as immigrants, refugees, and asylees.
She firmly opposes abusive and aggressive ICE enforcement practices that tear families apart and destabilize communities. She supports ending all voluntary local cooperation with federal immigration raids, banning 287(g) agreements statewide, prohibiting ICE access to schools, courthouses, and healthcare facilities, and strengthening data privacy protections to ensure Maryland remains a safe and welcoming state.
She also supports:
Immigrants strengthen our communities — and deserve dignity and opportunity.
Maryland has made progress, but our justice system is still deeply flawed. We struggle with racial inequity, accountability gaps, underinvestment in community services, and barriers to second chances. Raaheela believes public safety starts with strong communities — not mass incarceration.
She supports:
Justice must mean fairness, accountability, and second chances — not punishment without reform.
Raaheela believes democracy should work for everyone — not just the wealthy and well-connected. For many years, she has worked professionally in democracy reform and civic engagement, and as a school board member, she pushed for transparency and accountability in government decision-making.
She supports:
Raaheela believes voting should be simple, accessible, and protected because democracy is strongest when everyone can participate.
Raaheela knows firsthand what it means to struggle with medical bills. As a child dealing with multiple health issues, her family faced repeated hospital visits and overwhelming costs. She believes healthcare is a human right, not a luxury.
She supports:
No one should go into debt just to stay alive or care for their family.
We only have one planet — and we must protect it for future generations. As a former National Leadership Council member for Elected Officials to Protect America, Raaheela is committed to bold climate action in Maryland.
She supports:
Climate change is not a future problem — it’s happening now. Maryland must lead, and execute on its promises to our people.
Raaheela has organized to unionize in her own previous workplace and understands how hard people work just to get by. She comes from a union family — the granddaughter of a union hotel housekeeper and the daughter of a union healthcare worker — and knows the power of collective bargaining.
She supports:
Every worker deserves dignity, stability, and fair pay.
With degrees in finance and economics, and experience as a federal financial consultant, Raaheela understands how corporate systems are often built to benefit the wealthy at everyone else’s expense.
She supports:
Our economy should work for working families — not just shareholders.
Raaheela grew up in District 23 and still lives in one of its few affordable neighborhoods. She understands how expensive it has become to stay in the community you love. She believes housing is a human right.
She supports:
No one should have to choose between paying rent and paying for groceries.
Raaheela is a strong supporter of women’s rights and reproductive justice. She will work to protect women, and ensure that they can make their own healthcare and lifestyle decisions.
She supports:
Women’s freedom includes bodily autonomy, economic independence, and safety in every sphere of life.