This article originally appeared here, at enepalese.com

Republican congressional candidate Stewart Whitson held a special meet-and-greet and interactive session with members of the local Nepali community at a Nepali restaurant inside Lotte Plaza in Chantilly, Virginia. The event was coordinated by Laxmi Kanta Gaudel and emceed by Sujeet Aryal.

Whitson is the Republican candidate for the upcoming special Congressional election in Virginia’s 11th District.

Whitson began the program by personally greeting all Nepali attendees, creating a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. A young member of the community introduced Whitson’s background, followed by a brief remark from his campaign manager. Whitson then took the stage to introduce himself, share his professional experiences, and discuss the key issues of his campaign.

He shared that he is a former U.S. Army officer and former FBI Special Agent, and has served in various countries around the world. Whitson also spoke about his family, his role in policymaking, and his commitment to public service.

During the event, he had open conversations with Nepali-American veterans and community leaders, attentively listening to their suggestions and answering their questions with respect and depth.

During his speech, Whitson outlined his core campaign priorities. He emphasized the need to fix the U.S. economy by cutting unnecessary government spending, lowering taxes, and removing burdensome regulations that hinder business growth.

He expressed his belief in promoting work over welfare, aiming to create a culture of productivity and self-reliance. On public safety, Whitson stated that securing the nation’s borders and firmly supporting law enforcement agencies are essential steps to protect American families.

He also promised to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse within federal agencies by restoring transparency and accountability. Additionally, Whitson voiced strong support for empowering parents in education and holding individuals accountable for misconduct in government systems.

Whitson emphasized that as a veteran and former FBI agent, protecting families and communities is his top priority.

A resident of Great Falls for the past two decades, Whitson lives with his wife Melissa and their five children. He remains active in the community, volunteering at his local church and coaching youth sports.

He announced that early voting begins on July 25 and urged the Nepali community to participate in the special election on September 9.

The event was attended by Nepali-Americans from both Democratic and Republican backgrounds. Whitson expressed how energized and inspired he felt meeting the community for the first time.

He concluded by thanking the organizers and took part in a group photo with the attendees.