First-Generation American
Jigar Ashwin Madia's parents came to America from India with $19 in cash and a dream that America would provide opportunities for their children. Ashwin's family settled in Plymouth, Minnesota. Ashwin is a graduate of Osseo Senior High School, the University of Minnesota, and New York University Law School.

Leader and Advocate
Ashwin served as student body president at the University of Minnesota. He worked with fellow students, administrators, and faculty to keep higher education accessible to all by controlling increases in tuition and fees. He also volunteered as a tutor for children living in a Minneapolis homeless shelter. While in law school, he represented unemployed people in hearings to obtain their benefits, and he provided volunteer legal services for an organization that helped developmentally disabled children.

U.S. Marine
After law school, Ashwin joined the U.S. Marine Corps and moved to Quantico, Virginia for 6 months of basic training. His first duty station was Okinawa, Japan, where he served as a prosecutor, defense counsel, and legal advisor to a Marine Corps commander.

Madia was lead attorney in over one hundred trials, including thirteen jury trials. He is most proud of his work successfully defending a gay Marine from administrative discharge in 2005 for commission of a serious offense, when it was clear that commanders were using disparate standards in their treatment of this Marine compared to other Marines.

Attorney
Ashwin finished active duty with the Marine Corps on July 4, 2006. He returned to Minnesota and began practicing law at a local firm. As an attorney in private practice, Ashwin represented clients in disputes over intellectual property and other business issues. He also performed free legal work as an advocate for victims of domestic violence and for a victim of political oppression overseas. Ashwin also volunteered on the campaigns of a variety of DFL candidates in the 2006 elections.

Candidate
Just as his parents dreamed that it would, America has provided Ashwin with many opportunities. As a resident of Plymouth (in SD 45, near the intersection of route 169 and 36th Ave.), he now hopes to draw on his record of leadership, service, and advocacy to represent the 3rd District in the U.S. Congress. Ashwin will abide by the DFL endorsement. He looks forward to speaking personally with residents of the 3rd District about the important issues facing our nation today.