Madison’s youngest politician is back after his trip to the halls of Congress this past week.
Alder MGR Govindarajan, District 8, was recently invited as Congressman Mark Pocan’s special guest at a joint session of Congress. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an address at a joint session in Congress this past week. The trip was a full circle moment for Govindarajan as an immigrant from Chennai, India and now a politician.
“I was not invited in any official alder capacity. I was invited by [Congressperson] Mark Pocan’s team and for some reason, they thought of me. I felt very honored and privileged for that — and I still am,” Govindarajan said. “I went to Congress, got to meet Mark Pocan, his team and staff. I ran into [former House Speaker Nancy] Pelosi, I saw the vice president Kamala Harris, and so many cool people, and people who I personally think might not be that cool.”
Govindarajan, who was born in India, immigrated to the United States with his family at the age of 6 and later became a United States citizen, did not speak to Indian Prime Minister Modi, but was able to experience the importance of political systems in his trip.
The alder is still unsure as to why he was picked. Seemingly out of nowhere, Congressman Pocan’s team reached out a few days before the event. Govindarajan says he feels honored and privileged for the opportunity which helped him understand government processes better for his position as alder.
“This was an opportunity to figure out and talk about how cities get funding from the federal government and sometimes how difficult that is, or sometimes, for some cities, it’s easier than others,” Govindarajan said. “In my personal life, I’ve never really thought about running for office, nor is it something that I’ve really thought about even now because as a student, my next focus is just what’s the best.”
As a student at UW-Madison, he is still attempting to figure out a balance between school and his work as an alder. He majors in legal studies and political science — his intention is to study law and eventually become a practicing attorney. At the congressional joint session, Govindarajan found some level of inspiration to press on forward as he is still getting the knicks sorted out in his position and studies.
“I met [Florida] Congressman Maxwell Frost, who was the youngest member of Congress and the first Gen Z member of Congress. It was a really completing-the-circle kind of moment,” Govindarajan said. “I’m the youngest member of the Madison Common Council, and he is the youngest member of Congress, and it was just kind of inspiring to meet someone like that who achieved something so great at such a young age.”
Being able to meet a young member of Congress helped Govindarajan to reflect on the state of politics for the younger population of Madison — especially the students. The alder feels that students, like himself, are often left out of conversations on many things getting done in the city. He notes that he sees that a large number of projects that affect the whole city have their decisions made during the months when most students are out of the area.
