Indian American Sanjyot Dunung, Democratic candidate for Congress in Illinois’ 8th District, has received an endorsement from The American People’s Compact (APC), her campaign announced January 12, 2026.
District 8 has been represented by Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, who is now running for the US Senate. Several candidates of South Asian descent are among the 8 hoping to be endorsed by the Democratic Party, in the March 17 primary. These include Junaid Ahmed, Neil Khot, and Ryan Vetticad, apart from Dunung.
District 8 is rated by the Cook Partisan Voter Index at D+5, which means in two past presidential elections, results were 5 percentage points more Democratic than the national average, Ballotpedia points out.
The APC is a non-partisan, research-backed policy platform with the goal “to rebuild and renew America.” The organization’s website (americanpeoplescompact.org) says its policy platform is “rooted in our shared values and offers practical, common-sense solutions that lower health care and housing costs, raise wages, strengthen schools, deliver reliable and cleaner energy, make communities safer, and ensure transparent and accountable government. The APC promotes a vision for America’s future that includes everyone—serving every community, no matter who you are or where you come from.
Dunung’s campaign sees a similarity between her campaign’s call for “commonsense” movement, and the APC’s goals, as does APC.
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“Sanjyot Dunung represents the future of governance that The American People’s Compact aspires to—leadership that transcends partisan divides to deliver real results. We are endorsing Sanjyot because she recognizes that nearly 80% of Americans, regardless of party affiliation, desire the same things: economic security, safe communities, and a government that serves the people—not special interests. Her commitment to collaboration and evidence-based solutions perfectly aligns with our mission to break the gridlock and build a system that works for everyone, both Democrats and Republicans.”
“I am truly honored to receive the endorsement of The American People’s Compact,” said Dunung. “We share a commitment to values, integrity, and a genuine dedication to public service, which drives this campaign. Together, we aim to foster unity across party lines and seek meaningful solutions to improve the lives of everyone in Illinois’ 8th District, creating a brighter future for our community, where every voice is heard, and every individual has the opportunity to thrive.”
Dunung describes herself as “a military mom, a small-business owner, educator, author, and social scientist.” She is a graduate of Northwestern University. She notes on her campaign website that she served on the Former President’s Foreign Policy Working Group focused on international trade, boosting exports, and creating jobs. She has also served on the boards of the National Small Business Association and the Truman Center.