"I am very pleased to receive the endorsement and support of IAPAC in my campaign for Congress in New York's 21st District. The level of enthusiasm my candidacy has generated in the Iranian-American community has been deeply moving for me and my family. With this enthusiastic support, I will be able to spend my time working to earn the support of the people in 21st Congressional District located in Upstate New York, so I can be the first Iranian-American sent to Congress."

Darius Shahinfar grew up in Utica, New York and graduated from Bates College in 1988 with a BA in American History and a concentration in Soviet Studies. In 1994, he returned to Upstate New York to attend Albany Law School. Shahinfar served as the Editor-in-Chief of the Albany Law Review and graduated Cum Laude in 1997. He was subsequently admitted to both the New York and Massachusetts Bar.

Shahinfar has worked in both the private and public sector. He has experience in all levels of government – federal, state and local. And has worked in all branches – executive, legislative and judicial. In 1997, Shahinfar was selected as a New York State Senate Fellow in 1997 and was placed in the office of State Senator Mary Lou Rath and the local government committee. In 2001, after working as a litigator for a law firm in Albany, he took a position in the New York State Appellate Division as an Assistant Court Attorney. Upon the expiration of his clerkship term, Shahinfar joined the Albany County Attorney’s office under the County Attorney and eventually served as Deputy County Attorney. In 2006, he joined the Congressional Campaign of Kirsten Gillibrand and after her victory went to work for her as her Regional Representative.

Shahinfar’s campaign is about “Renewing America’s Promise” to make America work for working Americans again by: reinvesting in America; reestablishing responsible and responsive government in Washington; and getting our troops out of Iraq. He believes that we must renew the promise that if you work hard and do the right thing, that you can get ahead in life.

As a proud first generation Iranian American, Shahinfar knows first-hand what America means to people around our globe. He believes in an America that is able to both defend its security and its Constitution at the same time. An America that is safe and strong at home and respected abroad. As a member of Congress, Shahinfar will work to protect the Constitution, because he believes protecting this “sacred document” means protecting our freedoms and all our country stands for.

Shahinfar lives in Albany with his wife, Noelle, and 18-month-old son, Jackson.

Background Information
Party: Democrat
Residence: Albany, NY
Prev. Occupation: Attorney
Prev. Governmental Exp.: New York State Senate Fellow; Albany Deputy County Attorney; Regional representative, Congresswoman Kristen Gillibrand (D-20th/NY)
Education: BA Bates College, 1988; JD Albany Law School, 1997

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